WORCESTER’S women have been urged to join this year’s Race for Life after organisers revealed there are still 3,000 places left for the city event.

So far, only 3,230 women have signed up for the 5km race – which means more than 500 entrants a week would have to join up to the event just to match last year’s total of 4,696 runners.

Kelly Rumble, Cancer Research UK events manager, said: “We’ve still got two weeks’ worth of time for women to sign up.

“It would be really good if we could get another 500 every week between now and then to take us up to 4,500.”

The low numbers may also mean organisers could struggle to reach their target of raising £377,213 from the event. Last year’s race raised £219,246.

Ms Rumble said the ambitious target meant it was even more important for those runners who were taking part to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

She said: “It’s not just about turning up but about getting friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you.

“The money people pay to enter goes towards the costs of putting on the event so they need to raise sponsorship on top of that.”

She said women could pay for their entry fee by using their Tesco Clubcard points.

Among those already signed up include 15 youngsters from Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth Section (WODYS) who are determined to raise as much money as possible for the fight against cancer.

Beverly Abbs, WODYS publicity officer, said: “We are a group with a love of musical theatre, but that does not mean the youngsters are unaware of the misery caused by diseases such as cancer.

“Some of them have lost relatives to the disease and they want to become involved in this money-raising event, which provides finance for research to find a cure.”

The Tesco and Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life will take place at 11am on Sunday, June 12, starting at Pitchcroft Racecourse and finishing in Angel Place.

It is the largest women-only fund-raising event series and brings together women of all ages and abilities to walk, jog or run 5km to raise money to beat all types of cancer.

Men and women are also wanted to help set up the event, marshal the course and hand out medals and water at the finish line.

Anyone interested in entering or who is able to volunteer can visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 6411111.