Vanessa Morgan and Val Morris had travelled together from Long Sutton, near St Ives. Mrs Morgan was running for her Dad Bob and Father in Law Bill.

She said: "I am just here to raise money for charity. My dad died after an eight-month struggle with lung cancer and my husband's father died six weeks after his diagnosis."

Her friend, widow, Mrs Morris also spoke of her sad losses, with her husband, two sisters and father succumbing to different types of cancer.

She said: "It's been devastating and there has been times when you don't want to think about things. Events like these bring people together, it's quite emotional."


Popular Paston Scout leader Alan Edgley died of prostrate cancer last November. His widow Elaine and his daughter, granddaughter and daughter-in-law ran in his memory.

Mrs Edgley said: "He would have been all for this. Members of the brownies and guides have volunteered to help tonight and are also running. He would have been really pleased."


Pal Rachel MacInnes joined Jenny Saunders from Wittering. Rachel had previously run the Stamford Race for Life but had come to Peterborough to support her friend who lost her father only in February.

Miss Saunders said: "Its great, everyone is raising money and I just hope one day they will be able to find a cure. I have never done Race for Life before as my dad is the first person I have lost, and often you don't think about it until it happens to you."

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Chloe Smith would have been 10 years old yesterday, but for her mum Nicola, there were no celebrations, only tears.

Chloe only managed to reach her eighth birthday before losing her battle with sarcoma and her mother, joined by members of her family, proudly displayed her picture on her back.

Visibly moved as she described her daughter, Mrs Smith, from Somersham, near St Ives, said: "We miss her more than words can say. That's why we are here today. We need to stop this horrible disease from happening to other people."


First-timer Sarah Greenway, from Orton Brimbles, decided to join the race having seen two grand-parents die. Her father beat the deadly disease and she is now having to watch her Uncle Gray fight the illness.

She said: "I think people are here to raise awareness. I feel like I am helping and giving something back. I have always meant to do the race and now I am here."


A kick in the leg from a horse and a broken foot still did not deter Natasha Grattan from Sutton St James, near Long Sutton, taking part in race for life.

Battling on with her crutches, Natasha was determined to join her colleagues at race for life and complete the course.

She said: "I wanted to run for my grand-dad Eric who died. This will not stop me finishing."


Longthorpe Primary School pupils and teachers were joined for the race by the friends of much-missed teacher, Gail Guest, who died in April.


A GROUP of young-at-heart dancers proved age was no barrier.

Rita Meldrum (68), from Yaxley, Ann Gill (61) Elizabeth Walker (70), Mary Mossendew (74) and Eleanor Wright (72) from Gunthorpe, are all members of a dance group at the Parkway Sports and Social Club in Peterborough.

Eleanor had a particularly poignant reason for signing up.

She said: "My friend's daughter is 12 and has leukaemia. She's just finished her treatment, so we are all crossing our fingers for her."


JENNA Coles (23) and Tayna Mansfield (22) both work at the Leapfrog Nursery in Hampton Hargate.

They were running for a special little boy they look after.

Jenna, who raised £110 last year, said: "Ethan Harris, who is four, was diagnosed with leukaemia a year ago. He has the all clear now.

He's lovely. He's still having treatment but he doesn't let it get him down."

Tanya, who wore a photo of the smiling youngster on her T-shirt, said: "It was heartbreaking when we heard he had it. He's great – we call him Transfomer Harris."


SISTERS Rachel (8) and Emma Wellings (6), from the Ortons, and their friend Hannah Emery (8) were part of three generations running together.

Pretty in pink and dressed as fairies, Rachel said: "I'm doing it because my cat Smudge died of cancer last December."

Also taking part were the Wellings sisters' mum Jo (37) and gran Jean Homden (60). Jean said: "Very few events bring so many women together. It's fantastic."