YORK is on course to host its biggest Race For Life event and raise thousands of pounds to help beat cancer.

Almost 2,300 women have signed up for the 5km race, which will take place on Knavesmire on Sunday, May 19, at 11am.

Last year, about 3,000 women took part in the event, but this year it is hoped 4,000 will either run or walk the three-mile distance and raise £150,000 for the charity, Cancer Research UK.

Mum and daughter Judy Pattison and Sam Lyth, of York, are taking part for the second year running, but this time Sam, 35, plans to turn it into a personal challenge.

She said: "I walked it last year with Mum, but this time I plan to run it."

The pair decided to support Race For Life after Judy made a full recovery from a brain tumour five years ago.

Sam, who was born with a hole in her heart, has been out jogging near her home in Huntington in preparation for the Knavesmire race.

She said: "I'm doing interval training, which means running for a few minutes, then walking and running again. At the moment I can run for ten minutes, so I am hoping to be able to run at least half way around Knavesmire before stopping for a rest."

Sam, who runs Snappy Snaps in Stonegate, York, will be donating 50p from each film brought in for developing in the week following Race For Life to Cancer Research UK .

"Hopefully, we will raise quite a bit of money this way for a very good cause," she said.

Despite being called Race For Life, the majority of women taking part walk around the course.

Organisers are encouraging women to try to raise £50 sponsorship each.

There are 100 Race For Life events taking place across Britain, which could raise as much as £12 million for Cancer Research UK.

Harrogate will be hosting its own race at the Great Yorkshire Showground, on Wednesday, July 24, at 7pm.

To sign up for Race For Life, telephone 08705 134 314 or log on to www.raceforlife.co.uk

The entry fee is £7.50, or £4.50 for girls under 18.

Race For Life organisers have donated the race number 2002 for one lucky Evening Press reader to wear during the York event on May 19. It will be awarded to the reader with the best story of why they are taking part in the event. Please tell us your story and help encourage other women to enrol for Race For Life. Contact: Maxine Gordon or Emma Harrison on 01904 653051 or email maxine.gordon@ycp.co.uk or emma.harrison@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 12:46 Thursday, May 02, 2002