FOR Uncle Dave. For Penny Pepper. For Evelyn. For Auntie Dot. For my Mum. For my Dad.

On their backs in small, simple messages were the reasons why they were taking part, as thousands of women turned Knavesmire into a sea of colour to run the York Race For Life.

More than 5,000 turned out to raise cash to find cures for cancer - and to remember family and friends who had suffered or died from one of the UK's biggest killers.

The event, which is now in its ninth year, was shaping up to be another huge success, with organisers confident of raising more than £230,000 for Cancer Research UK in York alone.

Participants began turning up at York Racecourse two hours before the scheduled race start time to enjoy the family atmosphere.

Although it may have been a race for women, many husbands, boyfriends and friends of those running turned out to offer their support.

Among those getting ready to run was Lynne Burnett, of Woodthorpe, who 18 months ago was diagnosed with leukaemia for the second time.

She said she was defying the pain to run the three-mile course in memory of her mum, Margaret Larner, who died of cancer two years ago.

"She would have been so proud," said Lynne, 49. "I desperately want to run it for her and for myself, because I am fighting for my life. I am determined to give it my all and I have had a lot of support."

For Julie Wood and her sister, Helen Arthur, of Selby, there was happiness. Two months ago, Helen was given the all-clear after suffering from a host of different cancers. She put down the crutches from physiotherapy to run the race, and the sisters raised hundreds of pounds for event organisers.

Helen, 36, said: "This is the first time we have done the Race For Life, but we will definitely be back next year. I suffered from cancer for four years. I am delighted to finally have been given the all-clear."

The race was started by Zoe Kennedy, an actress in the TV drama, The Royal. She was running the race for her aunt, whom she said was an "inspirational" figure.

York race organiser Scott Renken said the event would go a long way towards the national target of £23 million.

Updated: 10:04 Thursday, July 14, 2005