THOUSANDS of women raced through the Faithful City to pay an emotional tribute to loved ones and raise money for cancer research.

Worcester was at a standstill as almost 5,000 women took part in Cancer Research UK's Race For Life today.

Thousands of spectators lined city streets to clap and shout encouragement to the participants - most of whom had very deep rooted reasons for taking part.

The brave woman braved temperatures of 25C (77F) to trek across town, starting on Pitchcroft and ending in the High Street, with every penny raised going to charity.

Sybil Wright, 63, of Redhill Lane, off London Road, Worcester, said: "I've been taking part in this event for seven years now, so I know what it's all about.

"My mum died of breast cancer so I've got a special reason for wanting to take part in it. It's a wonderful event."

Dianne King, 52, of Windermere Way, Stourport, said: "Most people do seem to have personal reasons for doing this race. I've lost friends through breast cancer myself."

The fastest runner to complete the 5km trek was Emma Gooderham, who completed it in around 15 minutes.

Many of the participants decided to walk the journey, completing it anywhere from 30 minutes to more than one hour.

It also included the brave, such as 30-year old Lucy Johnson, from Claphill Lane, Rushwick, who only recovered from a broken foot last week.

"I broke a bone in my foot and have been off work for several weeks, but I was never going to miss this," she said.

"I have done it the last five years, since my mother died of breast cancer."

Janet Price, 64, from Wolverhampton, also took part despite having an operation on her knee in March because of arthiritus.

She said: "I've got very personal reasons for doing this - I've defeated breast cancer twice, in 1992 and 1999.

"So I've had it twice but come out fighting. It's the first time I've done the race and I had a knee operation in March, but I feel good."

The runners were handed goody bags upon finishing the race, containing a series of beauty products, as well as a medal and a bottle of water.

**See tomorrow's Worcester News for more pictures of today's event