ALMOST 3,000 women lined up on Pitchcroft racecourse for Worcester's third annual Imperial Cancer Research Fund Race for Life.

Among the record field of 2,874 runners, joggers and strollers were women of all ages, representing every walk of life.

Clowns and fairies joined with secondary school pupils and council cleaners in a 5km dash for cash, which raised an estimated £120,000 for vital research into cancers affecting women.

Many women running yesterday had themselves recovered from cancer.

"The day went really, really well," said organiser Amanda Smith, of Worcester City Council.

"The going was a bit soft because there had been so much rain on Friday and Saturday - so the women did really well - but it stayed fine on the day which is the main thing."

Miss Smith said it had been a very emotional occasion, with a minute's silence before the race.

"A lot of people ran in memory of someone but it was not deemed a sad occasion - it was a joyous occasion, because it was celebrating their life, as opposed to mourning their death," she added.

The number of people taking part has grown from 675 runners in 1999.

"Capacity at the racecourse is 3,000 so we may have it in the city centre next year, along City Walls Road and Deansway, to accommodate more people," she said.

First over the line was Kirsty Law, followed by Marie McManus, but no times are recorded or records kept in the Race for Life, which is purely for fun and fund-raising.

All entrants receive a medal and an Imperial Cancer Research Fund "goody bag" as they cross the line.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere," said Miss Smith.

The Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Race for Life organiser, Kate Sarjent, said the day had gone brilliantly and now it was down to women to get their sponsorship money in and raise the estimated £120,000 that had been pledged. Last year's race raised £100,000.

There are 71 Race for Life runs around the country this summer. If anyone is interested in participating, there will be one in Cheltenham, on Sunday, July 8 and in Birmingham on Sunday, July 22. Phone 08705 134 314 for details.