Thousands are urged to join Race for Life

The call went out today to thousands of women to join this year's Race for Life in a bid to raise more than £1million for the fight against cancer.

Around 20,000 take part in the annual 5k races at parks around the region, and registration has now opened for the 2012 challenge.

Fundraising runs regularly take place in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, Stafford and Dudley in June and July. Last year a total of 21,477 women took part, raising £1,150,905 for Cancer Research UK.

The women-only series of races which raise millions of pounds every year for life-saving research into 200 types of cancer – helping men, women and children across the West Midlands survive the disease.

Event organisers today issued a rallying cry to mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers to sign up as soon as possible.

And participants don't have to be experienced runners to take part, with many choosing walk or jog the route – some even take dogs and prams along with them.

Victoria Meikle, Cancer Research UK's Midlands events manager, said: "We know many women want to take part in Race for Life but are worried they won't be able to complete the course.

"Most women are able to walk 5k in an hour while chatting and having fun. The really startling fact is that in the same period of time, around three people in the West Midlands will be diagnosed with cancer."

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research so money raised through Race for Life is crucial to the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists. To sign up go to www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 6411111.