GIRL power in the truest sense of the word will be coming to Hudson's Field on July 1 as up to 4,000 women line up for the 2007 Race for Life.

Whether they run, jog, power walk or plod around the five-kilometre route they will share one goal - to raise money in the fight against cancer.

This will be the fifth time the city has hosted the Race for Life, and it will be the biggest race yet with a new route to accommodate all the extra participants.

The race will start in Hudson's Field and take the runners along the River Avon towards Five Rivers leisure centre before returning to the field for a final lap and the welcome sight of the finish line.

Everyone who takes part in the Race for Life has their own special reason for being there.

Some will run in memory of a loved one who lost their life to cancer.

Others will take part in celebration of someone who has survived the disease.

Many of the women will have overcome cancer or be undergoing treatment, and several more will take part in support of friends or relatives who are too ill to be there. A handful will keep their eye on the clock and try to complete the race in record time, while thousands more will be raising as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK.

Denise Ryan and her friends caused quite a stir last year when they wore eye-catching "bottom" shorts to raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Denise was halfway through chemotherapy treatment and was cheered all the way to the line despite being the last to finish the race.

Sadly, this year she is too ill to take part, but her friend, Lyn Woodrow, will be walking in her name.

"The Race for Life is such a powerful and emotional event and the support you get from everyone as you go round is incredible," said Lyn.

"Seeing the labels on people's backs which say who they are running for makes you realise just how many people are touched by cancer.

"I'll be taking part for Denise - I know she hopes to come along and watch.

"It's not about the time you finish in, it's about raising money and awareness and it's a very special event." Art student, Irene Colquhoun, was so moved by the Race for Life she used it as inspiration for her final-year project at Salisbury College.

But soon after she started her work, Irene's own family was touched by cancer when her sister-in-law, Karin, developed a tumour in her intestine.

She underwent a major operation and is now in remission.

Irene named her piece Karin's Race and had it printed onto T-shirts which will be worn by her friends from Amesbury Visual Artists group when they take part in the event. "My work is actually a series of three paintings with each becoming more optimistic and hopeful, which is what the Race for Life means to me," she explained.

Salisbury's previous races have raised more than £550,000 to help Cancer Research UK's scientists develop faster and more effective cures for the disease.

This year, organisers hope the city will raise an incredible £265,000.

Since it started in 1994 with 680 runners in Hyde Park, Race for Life has snowballed into one of the country's most important fundraising events with 280 races this year.

To date, 2.7million women nationwide have raised £140million.

Race for Life, which is sponsored by Tesco, has also reached the record books for the most participants in a multi-location five kilometre race, and the most people stretching simultaneously with the event's energetic warm-ups.

"The Race for Life in Salisbury has always been very successful," said organiser, Mark Raisbeck.

"Last year, it had an unforgettable atmosphere and was a great success, raising £250,000,"

"I'd really urge every woman to take part as it's such an inspiring day, and the money raised really does make an invaluable contribution to beating cancer."

  • Take part and do your bit...
    IT'S not too late to be part of Salisbury's biggest ever Race For Life and play your part in raising £265,000 for Cancer Research UK.

There are still around 1200 places left in the event which takes place on Sunday, July 1 at 11am.

Participants are encouraged to arrive at Hudson's Field an hour before the race starts to join in a mass warm-up which is sure to get the heart pumping.

Runners go to the start line first with those who want to adopt a more leisurely pace following behind.

You can enter as an individual or as a team, and everyone is asked to state the amount they hope to raise in sponsorship.

Every participant will receive an entry pack full of training tips and fundraising ideas along with your sponsorship form, race number and back sign.

For more information, or to enter, log on to www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134314.