More than 1,000 women danced together on York's Knavesmire yesterday as they warmed up for the Race For Life

THEY'RE OFF: The start of the Race For Life at York Racecourse, with eventual winner Tracy Gorman leading the field Pictures by David Harrison

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves and It's Raining Men boomed out over the racecourse as women taking part in the cancer charity fun run were put through their aerobics paces before heading for the starting line.

More than double the number of women signed up this year than enrolled last time. It is hoped their efforts will raise more than £40,000 for the Imperial Cancer Research fund.

Cathy Lowe, who helped to organise the event, said it had been a fantastic day. She paid tribute to the volunteers and local organisations that made it such a success.

"Last year 400 women took part in the York Race For Life," she said.

"This year we had 1,100 and so we hope to double the £20,000 we raised for the charity in 1998.

"I can't thank those people who turned out enough and made this such a fantastic day.

"I would like to say a special thank you to the City of York Council leisure services team, which really hosted the event and made everything so easy.

"And also to Minster FM for the roadshow it put on and all the volunteers, who worked so hard.

"The TA group from Imphal Barracks did not stop all day - they were wonderful.

"I just hope everyone enjoyed it enough to come back next year and raise some more money for this very good cause."

The top three runners were awarded prizes donated by Nike, the national sponsor of the event.

Tracy Gorman, 28, finished in first place, completing the 5km circuit in 17 minutes 59 seconds.

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