THE race is on!Today, women across Suffolk are being urged to sign up for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.

THE race is on!

Today, women across Suffolk are being urged to sign up for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.

It is the first day runners can register for the event, which will see thousands of women join for two 5km runs in Ipswich this summer.

In the coming months The Evening Star will participants from Suffolk and the stories behind their commitment to raising money for cancer research.

Heidi Connell, organiser of Ipswich's Race for Life, said, “Last year's event had an unforgettable atmosphere and was a great success, raising £285 000.

“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.”

The first event is taking place on Sunday, June 10, at Chantry Park. It is the seventh time the park has hosted one of the events.

The second event will be on Wednesday, July 11, at Trinity Park, formerly the Suffolk Showground, and it is the venue's second year as a host.

Combined, the events are expected to raise £350,000 by bringing together 4,500 women.

Race for Life offers women the opportunity to start taking regular exercise by training. The events encourage women of all ages and levels of fitness to participate.

For many women, the race is an annual occasion. Some are cancer survivors while others run or walk in memory or to celebrate the lives of family, friends or loved ones.

Last year 2,000 women raced at the Suffolk Showground in July. In June, 2,600 women took part in the challenge at Chantry Park.

Gloria Hunniford, Patron of Race for Life, said: “The genuine enthusiasm and emotion demonstrated by women across the country creates an atmosphere on race day that is truly inspiring.

“We know that Race for Life holds a special place in many women's hearts and hope that together we will beat cancer.”

For more information or to enter Race for Life in Ipswich call the hotline on 08705 134 314.

N Will you be taking part in Race for Life in Ipswich? Has your life been affected by cancer? Call the news team on 01473 324788 and tell us your story.

Last year's race at the former Suffolk Showground took place on the hottest July day in 94 years.

N Race for Life began in 1994 and since then more than 2.7million women in the UK have taken part

N The first race was in Battersea Park and 680 women raised £36,000

N Today, the event is the UK's biggest women-only fundraising event.

N Race for life has raised £140m over its history

N Every pound raised in sponsorship goes directly to the scientists, doctors and nurses who work to find new treatments.

N Nationwide, more than 800,000 are expected to take part this year, with 280 events hoping to raise £60m.