IT was a scene that sent shivers down my spine, writes Jenny Makin. Standing on Southampton Common with almost 10,000 other women as a minute's silence passed, I couldn't help just stopping and staring at the people around me.

But it wasn't just their faces - many expressionless, others wiping away the tears - but the messages of love on their backs that stole my attention.

Virtually everyone around me had a name written on their back.

Some were running in memory of those they lost to cancer, many had the words "nan", "mum" or "dad" or "grandad" on their backs.

One woman stood in front of me had the name of a man who died aged just 21.

Others were celebrating the lives of friends and family who had fought back and managed to beat the illness - many of them were running alongside and celebrating their own remarkable achievement.

I couldn't help but imagine the terrifying experience so many women around me had gone through.

As we made our way slowly towards the starting line I felt this huge sense of pride to be taking part for the first time.

I was surrounded by women of all shapes and sizes and ages. But Race for Life is not competitive and it didn't matter what you looked like, just that you were joining in the 5k event.

Cheered on by the crowds lining the route we made our way to the top of the Common before making our way round and out on to The Avenue.

As we turned the corner one steward was shouting "well done, keep going" as loud as she could to everyone who passed her.

The scene on The Avenue was spectacular - and one which brought me out in goosebumps.

All that lay in front and behind me was a sea of heads bobbing up and down. For once this busy road didn't have a car in sight - the only noise was the sound of trainers hitting the road and the friendly banter with even complete strangers.

As you turned back on to the Common you knew you were on the home straight and before long we were running the last stretch - spurred on by mass crowds who clapped and cheered for every single woman to cross the finishing line.

It didn't matter how you got there - what mattered was that you did - and I for one was proud to have taken part in such an amazing and emotional event.

See tonight's Daily Echo for our 20-page Race for Life special with loads of pictures and a list of every participant.

Log on to www.efotosales.com to order pictures or see the unpublished photographs