Thinking of entering Race For Life? Why not do it with your best friend, suggests MAXINE GORDON.

WHEN Katie Clemishaw decided to sign up for Race For Life, there was one condition: her best mate Sue Laycock would have to run as well. Together, the two firm friends completed the 5km (three-mile) course around Knavesmire in York and collected sponsorship money for cancer research.

They vowed to do it again, but had to put their plans on hold when Sue became pregnant with her daughter Lottie, who is Katie's god-daughter.

This year, however, the friends were among the first to enrol for the York Race For Life and are urging other best mates across North Yorkshire to take part in the mammoth fundraising event.

Katie, 27, said: "It was such a great thing to do. You really feel like you are doing something positive. We all know people who have been touched by cancer."

Sue's mum Val died from cancer and a close friend has the disease. Mum-of-two Sue, 38, of Alne, said: "It is a very emotional event. I had a picture of my mum on my back when I did the race in 2001. This year I am going to run in memory of my mum and in celebration of Lottie."

The friends, who both work for Benenden Healthcare, in York, plan to walk and jog around the course together when they take part in this year's Race For Life at 7.30pm on Wednesday July 14.

It is the first time the York race has been scheduled for the evening, but organiser David Martin says it is proving as popular as ever.

"We already have more than 3,000 entries, which is great, but we still have time to get more women enrolled and set a new course record," said David.

It is hoped some 5,000 women will take part in the York Race For Life, which is supported by the Evening Press. The aim is to raise £270,000 for Cancer Research UK, which would set an all-time high for the York event.

Last year's race drew a record 4,635 crowd - just placing York outside the ten largest races in the UK. The sponsorship was £234,865 - another record.

Nationally, York will be one of 150 races, which together aim to boost Cancer Research UK's coffers by £20 million. Over its 11-year existence, Race For Life has raised more than £50 million in the fight against cancer.

To boost this year's event even further Race For Life is launching a competition to find York's best friends. The prize is a fantastic two-night break for the two friends at a health spa. See our competition panel for more details.

Katie and Sue have this message for women contemplating Race For Life: "Just do it! It's a phenomenal feeling to take part - and there can never be enough money in the pot."

:: Every penny helps

Here are some facts to show how money spent on cancer research is now reaping rewards:

More than 80 per cent of children now survive the most common form of childhood leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The death rate for breast cancer in the United Kingdom has fallen by 21 per cent in the past ten years.

The death rate for bowel cancer in the United Kingdom has fallen by 24 per cent in the past ten years.

Recent evidence suggests that cervical screening has saved more than 8,000 lives in the United Kingdom since 1988.

About 95 per cent of men with testicular cancer are now successfully treated.

More than seven out of ten children with cancer now survive.

Cancer death rates have fallen by 12 per cent over the past decade.

Over the past 15 years, the incidence of lung cancer has fallen by more than 30 per cent in British men.

::How to enter

Entry to Race For Life 2004 costs £8.50 (or £5 for girls under 18), which covers administration costs and means every pound raised in sponsorship goes to vital life-saving research.

The most convenient and cheapest way to enter is via the website: www.raceforlife.org

People can also enter via the telephone hotline: 08705 134 314.

Postal entries to: Race For Life, PO Box 50, Crawley, RH10 9WA.

Entry forms are also available from Cancer Research UK shops, Tesco stores, fitness and leisure centres, libraries or by calling the hotline number. It is recommended that anyone under 16 is accompanied by an adult.

Updated: 09:20 Tuesday, June 08, 2004