DUST off your running shoes and limber up for this year's Race For Life - which aims to break all records for life-saving cancer research.

The 5km, or three-mile, sponsored walk/run will take place on Wednesday, July 14, at Knavesmire, York.

For the first time, it will be an evening event, with the starting gun sounding at 7.30pm.

Women can sign up for the race from today, when enrolment begins in earnest.

It is hoped some 5,000 women will take part in Race For Life, which is supported by the Evening Press, and 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.

York race organiser David Martin said: "People in York are really committed to Race For Life. The event just gets bigger and better each year."

Race For Life is now in its 11th year and has raised more than £50 million in the fight against cancer.

Mr Martin said it was more important than ever to keep raising cash for this important cause.

He said: "We are starting to reap the rewards now. From the work we do in the labs until we start doing tests takes about ten years. So the money we raised about ten years ago is just coming to fruition now. And the money we raise this year and beyond is for everyone else's future.

"People are living longer and more and more people are surviving cancer and hearing the words: all clear."

Although only women and girls can actually take part in the race, Mr Martin said men were always needed to help "oil the wheels" of the event.

He said: "We are always desperate for volunteers to help us set up and marshal the event. These may not sound the most exciting jobs in the world, but by helping in this way it means your wife, sister, mother or daughter can take part. Also, when they've just run 5km, to see their husband, son or brother at the finishing line, cheering them on, is a brilliant feeling."

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: 08:33 Monday, February 23, 2004