THE blazing sun shone on 1,260 women on Sunday, including myself, when we completed the Race for Life at Preston Sports Arena.

It had been a long journey for many of the brave entrants who had personal stories of battling cancer.

Team spirit brought us together as we warmed up under the guidance of fitness instructor Anne Blydgen who powered us on with an aerobics work-out.

Hundreds of runners had tributes pinned to their shirts with photographs and names of their nearest and dearest who had lost their lives to cancer.

But as we all congregated to take part in the 5km event, smiles were the order of the day. This was the tenth anniversary of Cancer Research UK's fund-raiser and the turn-out exceeded all expectations. There was plenty of support with husbands, families and marshals from Preston Harriers. And I certainly needed it as I passed the 3km mark.

Cancer sufferer Joanne Tinning, who featured in The Citizen, on May 22, was remarkable as she made her way round the track with a walking frame complete with a silver wig and nurse's uniform. Teams of women including the BAE Birds, Debenhams staff, and workers from Tesco, kept everyone's spirits high.

The Race for Life has so far raised £35million for cancer research and Preston has played a large part in the fund-raising.

This year's event looks set to raise up to £90,000 -- money that will also go toward support and information services for cancer patients and their families.