THE race is on to sign up for this year’s Cancer Research UK Race for Life, which comes under starter’s orders in Southampton on July 12.

Entries are being taken now for the 5km charity run, which starts on Southampton Common at 11am.

Last year, 9,700 women walked, jogged or ran the event, which raised £564,500.

In 2009, organisers are encouraging 10,000 women to put their best feet forward and raise a whopping £590,000.

Many of the women who take part are cancer survivors themselves or running in memory or celebration of a loved one who has been touched by the disease.

So far more than 2,600 ladies have signed up for the Southampton race, but the city needs more entries if it is to hit its fund-raising target.

Race organiser, Hannah White, said: “We hope everyone will accept our invitation to do something amazing by taking part in Race for Life.

“Women of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes join in. They motivate and inspire each other to complete the 5k course. Many simply walk round, chatting and having fun, but they all share the wonderful spirit of sisterhood and pride on the day.”

Cancer Research UK spent more than £3m last year in Southampton on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.

Scientists at the University of Southampton are investigating ways to harness the power of the immune system to treat cancer and patients in the city are taking part in clinical trials, using groundbreaking DNA vaccines.

Every day, 105 people are diagnosed with cancer in the South- East.

Those entering the race in Southampton will be joining 680,000 women throughout the UK, taking part at more than 230 events between May and July.

Cancer Research UK hopes that together they will raise a total of £60m to fund the charity’s life-saving work.

● To enter, visit raceforlife.org or ring 0871 641 2282.