WELL over 2,000 women and girls have showed their determination to beat cancer in the annual Race for Live at Chantry Park in Ipswich.More than £200,000 should be raised for Cancer Research UK from the race - one of scores of runs across the country which should raise more than £60 million for the appeal.

WELL over 2,000 women and girls have showed their determination to beat cancer in the annual Race for Live at Chantry Park in Ipswich.

More than £200,000 should be raised for Cancer Research UK from the race - one of scores of runs across the country which should raise more than £60 million for the appeal.

Organiser Heidi Connell said 2,322 women had registered for the event. All had family members of friends who had suffered from cancer, and many of the participants had been treated for the condition themselves.

The race was won by Suffolk College sports lecturer Jane Hill, 39, who completed the five kilometre course in just over 18 minutes.

“I have been a regular runner in the past, not so much now, but there are a number of us from Suffolk College raising money for Cancer Research UK,” she said.

But Ms Connell said winning was not the most important element of the event: “In a sense everyone who takes part is a winner because of the amount of money we will raise for the charity.

“And it is so important to bring people together for a big event - it shows the commitment by a large number for such a good cause.”

Ms Hill was followed in by Gail Pryke and 14-year-old Debenham High School pupil Laura Thomas - who could have won the race had she not taken a wrong turn.

“I'm running for my great uncle and my great grandfather - but it's something I like to do,” said Laura who has represented Suffolk in junior teams.