MORE than 6,000 women ran through Oxford's University Parks in glorious sunshine at the weekend to raise £641,000 for Cancer Research UK.

There were 2,000 runners in the first Race for Life event on Saturday, 3,000 yesterday morning and about 1,000 yesterday afternoon.

Many of the runners were taking part in the 5km races because they have lost loved ones to cancer or they are supporting friends who are receiving treatment.

Oxfordshire is one of the event's top-earning locations and last year a third Oxford race was laid on to cope with the huge demand for places.

Organisers at Cancer Research UK chose Daphne Keenan, 63, from Kidlington, to wear the number one vest in yesterday morning's event.

The retired office worker has raised £3,000 for Cancer Research UK through sponsorship and often runs with her sisters Flo Harris, 66, and Olly Butler, 61.

Race organiser Rosannah Dawood said the warm weather had provided the perfect setting for the weekend's races. She added: "It has been absolutely fantastic all weekend and everyone who has taken part has thoroughly enjoyed it.

"We are hoping to raise £641,000 from the three races alone, and the Oxford events are part of the One Big Day celebration involving 16 venues across the country, with 110,000 women taking part.

"These races will raise £8m towards our target of £60m this year for cancer research, so it is vital that those taking part send in their sponsorship money."

Ms Dawood thanked the 150 volunteers who coordinated the races in the Parks.

"They made sure the races went smoothly and we could not have done it without them," she added.

Patricia Breen, from Finstock, also took part yesterday. Last year, she and other members of her family pushed her father, Charlie Knight, round the course in his wheelchair. He died last December shortly before his 90th birthday.

The Race for Life started in Battersea, London, in 1994, and is a women-only 5km race.

The £641,000 will fund work by Cancer Research UK's Clinical Centre at Oxford's Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals.

The winner in yesterday morning's race was Rachel Trevillion, 21, an aerobics teacher from south London, who completed the course in 19 minutes.

She was running in support of her friend Chrissie Tanner, 22, who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.

  • Another Race for Life is being held on Sunday, June 24, in the grounds of Heythrop Park Hotel, near Chipping Norton.