Can't run for toffee? That's what Diane Harwood thought until she decided to do Race For Life. MAXINE GORDON reports

TWELVE months ago, Diane Harwood couldn't run for the bus, but within a matter of weeks she was jogging for three miles at a stretch in preparation for her first Race For Life in aid of cancer research. "I'd just joined the Barbican gym when I noticed the poster for Race For Life. I thought it was a good cause and a bit of a challenge - it was something I'd never done before," says Diane, who works in the advertising department at the Evening Press.

"At the beginning, I couldn't even run for a minute. Then I found out about the Race For Life training courses which the Barbican was running and I decided to go along."

She admits she was a bit apprehensive - not least because it snowed just before the first session.

"I thought we'd probably do some exercise inside, but we went out. The instructor was really good. We ran a little bit, them walked, then ran and walked.

"He was really encouraging and gave us some guidelines on what to do during the week before the next session."

Things progressed from there. Each week, Diane ran a little more and walked a little less. Soon, she was able to run for just over three miles - the 5km distance of the Race For Life.

The good thing about training in this way, says Diane, is that you meet other women doing the race and can find people to go running with during the week too. And the sessions are aimed at all abilities.

"I wasn't very confident at my first session," confesses Diane. "I thought they'd all run off and leave me behind. But it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or whether you can run because it is aimed at everyone.

"Everyone goes at their own pace and the first person to reach the chosen destination just comes back and joins the end of the group, so the people at the back are not at the back all the time."

As for the race itself, Diane breaks into a beaming smile and her eyes light up as she recalls that sunny day at York Racecourse last May.

"It was fantastic. I'd never seen so many people in one place. Everyone had the same T-shirt on with their numbers displayed.

"Some of the things written on the back in memory of loved ones were really sad.

"The warm up is great fun, with everyone doing aerobics to music. The whole atmosphere is amazing and it's just fantastic to be part of it all."

Last year, Diane raised £180 in sponsorship. This year, she hopes to reach £200.

She has already signed up for the race at York on May 19 and has bought the new T-shirt - white with the new logo: red, pink and blue ribbons in a heart shape.

And she has got her running shoes out again in preparation for the 5km run.

"I haven't really run since September last year, so I need to get out and build it up again."

Diane is putting into practice the training tips she picked up last year and is going running near her home a couple of times a week.

"The first time I went out on my circuit, I had to stop and walk seven times. Now I've cut that down to three. I'm just going to take it gradually."

Besides the personal challenge, Diane says she is motivated by the fact she is raising money to beat cancer.

She says: "You never know if it is going to be you. So many people have been or will be touched by cancer in their lives. It's such a good cause."

- To enter Race For Life call the hotline on 08705 134 314 or enter online at: www.raceforlife.co.uk

- Entry costs £7.50 or £4.50 for girls under 18. T-shirts are available for £12.50. Payment by credit card or Switch.

Updated: 09:50 Monday, April 08, 2002