‘AMAZING moments’ is the theme of this year’s Race for Life.

And Natalie Max, Cancer Research UK’s marketing and communications manager for the south says that Race for Life has lots of amazing moments.

“The theme reflects what an incredible day it is,” says Natalie, who will be taking part in the race alongside female members of her family in memory of her uncle who lost his battle with cancer in October.

Cancer Research UK launch Race for Life 2010 at Southampton General Hospital

“There are amazing moments women can share on the day, on the starting line or thinking about how far they’ve come in order to get to that point. It could be the amazing moments that they’ve had in their personal lives as a result of the journey they’ve come on.”

“It really is a special atmosphere, there’s nothing else like it,” adds Christina Tomlinson, Cancer Research UK’s area events manager for the south.

Christina has taken part in the race alongside her mother and aunt in memory of her grandmother who lost her life to cancer.

“It’s a really emotional day. People are there celebrating those who have survived cancer and remembering those they have lost. Being all women, it’s a real sisterhood experience. We encourage big groups of women to come but we also encourage women to come on their own – they don’t feel alone.”

Although the name, Race for Life, suggests a competitive edge, this is far from the case.

Participants can run, jog or walk the event. Some women go round on crutches and there are wheelchair friendly races. Everyone who takes part receives a medal regardless of whether they cross the line in 20 minutes or two hours.

“We have cancer survivors and some very elderly people taking part and it’s a big deal for them to make it round the course,” says Christina.

“It’s another special moment when that last person crosses the finishing line,” adds Natalie. “We gather everyone together and clap and cheer for them as they reach the end.”

This year’s Race for Life in Winchester takes place on June 13 and the Southampton race is on July 11 but women are being urged to sign up as soon as possible so they can start collecting funds.

“People can be creative with raising money,” says Christina.

“You don’t just have to get people to sponsor you. You can hold a cake sale, sell tickets for a fundraising dinner party or ask your work colleagues to donate their spare change.”

And with all of the sponsorship money collected going to help fight cancer, every penny counts.