UNITY, family, courage and hope - the story of sisters Christine, Susan and Allyson epitomises the spirit of Race For Life.

The day after they lost their mother, Sylvia Try, to cancer, the three women honoured a pledge to complete the charity run. It was a unique and unforgettable tribute to their mum. Christine is right: she would have been so proud.

We should all be proud of the women and girls who took part in Race For Life. This is a life-affirming event in every sense.

Five thousand participants joined together for a common cause: to help to defeat the diseases which end so many women's lives prematurely.

Many of the participants were inspired to walk or run around Knavesmire for poignant and personal reasons. Placards and badges celebrated the relatives who could not be there yesterday.

Christine Kirk was commemorating the lives of her mother, brother and sister. She has lost all three since undertaking her first Race For Life. It is hard to imagine the pain. And hers was only one of thousands of stories of loss and heartache gathered in the spring sunshine.

Yet while the event is underwritten by sadness, the overriding message is one of hope. There is much laughter at the Race For Life. From the mass aerobics class at the start through the main race, the emphasis is on fun.

That is why this event is so special. The participants are proclaiming to the world that life does go on, and declaring their determination to extract the very best from it.

Some have carped at the fact that this is a women-only event. But that exclusivity is at the heart of its success. Race For Life brings together young girls, pensioners and every age group in between. It is a celebration of motherhood, sisterhood and womanhood.

We salute every one of the participants today: you have all won the Race For Life.

Updated: 10:28 Monday, May 12, 2003