Race for Life is a record-breaker
From the Leigh Journal, first published Monday 24th Jul 2006.
A RECORD 4,000 women and girls took part in Bolton's Race for Life raising more than £180,000 for cancer research.
People of all ages ran or walked the three miles in one of two races held at Leverhulme Park yesterday one race was held in the morning and the second in the afternoon.
Many competed in memory of friends or family who died of cancer, while others were victims of the disease who had survived.
Among the runners were Tracey Lawrie, aged 42, and her daughter, Ellyn, aged 13. They were taking part for the first time because Tracey's mother, Vanessa Wensley, has been battling ovarian cancer, and her father, Thomas, died of cancer four years ago.
Tracey said: "It was Ellyn's idea that we do the race because she wanted to do something to help."
A team from Curves fitness group was running because two of their members, who were both taking part in the race, were diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Karen Morris, aged 41, of Deepdale Road, Breighmet, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January.
One of her team mates, Judith Hunt, aged 57, of Daisy Hill, Westhoughton, was going through treatment for neck cancer at the same time as Karen.
She said: "Keeping fit and having the support from friends is what kept us going."
Six-year-old Shauna Swarbrick was running for her aunt, Alison Hart, who died aged 29 16 months after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Shauna, from Adlington, said: "My aunt was very brave and I hope we can raise lots of money."
Alison's mum, sisters and friends were also running and hoped to raise £3,000.
The route started at the running track, went round the park, down Long Lane, and re-entered the park at Leacroft Avenue.
In the first race,the first woman to cross the finishing line after 19 minutes and 25 seconds was Janet Rashleigh, followed 13 seconds later by her friend, Susan Selby, who won the race last year.
Mrs Rashleigh, aged 45, said: "I'm running for Jane Morton, the secretary of Bolton Boys Junior School where my husband works.
"She was so brave but died in February this year, aged 57."
The first runner in the second race was Catherine Higgins, aged 28, in 20 minutes, 13 seconds.
Catherine, of Heaton, said: "I am running for my grandma who died from ovarian cancer last year."
Last year, 3,300 runners raised £178,000. Holly Scholes, who organised the event, said: "The weather has been brilliant so it was a fantastic day. The most important thing now is for people to send the sponsorship money back."
Visit www.raceforlife.org for sponsorship details.
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