THEY are in total agreement that research kills cancer.

But for two charity fundraisers the battle goes on to decide which city has the biggest Race for Life support – Southampton or Portsmouth.

The fighting talk comes from Cancer Research UK’s event organisers Rachel Northover, from Southampton and Hannah Ford, from the Portsmouth event.

Their friendly rivalry has been heightened since Portsmouth has been nipping at the heels of Southampton to be the biggest Race for Life on the south coast.

Southampton has been the most popular venue in recent years as around 10,000 women and girls of all ages, shapes and sizes annually joined together as a formidable army to take on cancer at Race for Life.

But Portsmouth has been a very close second and this year, participants there have got off their marks quicker with almost 4,800 entries to date against Southampton’s 3,800.

Rachel, who has organised the Southampton event for three years, said: “I hope our fabulous supporters will rise to the challenge. We don’t want Portsmouth taking over our top slot!

“Southampton needs to get back in front!”

She added: “Please join us in Southampton and send a message to cancer, that it’s going down!”

Every day, almost 120 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East.

“There are more than 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cures for them all.

It’s fighting talk, but we mean it.”

Race for Life is at the Garrison Ground and University of Winchester Stadium on Sunday, June 9 and at Southampton Common on Sunday, July 14.

Last year, more than 7,700 women took part in Race for Life in Winchester and Southampton and raised over £450,000. This year the organisers hope 8, 000 will help to raise £460,000 for vital research.

  • To enter Race for Life today go to raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.