SOME ran, some jogged and some walked.

But the thousands of women who turned out in force to Chester Racecourse last Sunday for this year’s annual Race for Life all put in the same amount of effort.

Mums, daughters, sisters, grans, aunts and friends were among those taking part in the 5k run to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

Each of them had a personal reason for taking part in Race for Life, which is held each year in partnership with Tesco to help defeat cancer by funding life-saving research.

Brave mum Nia Williams from Lache, was just one of the many women who donned her running shoes to do her bit for charity.

The 37-year-old’s experience of cancer came when her toddler son Noah Scott was diagnosed with an aggressive neuroblastoma at the age of just 13-months.

Noah, now three, had to undergo an immediate course of chemotherapy to shrink the tumour and even contracted E-coli, but luckily he was given the all clear last year.

Every hour, more than four people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West but the good news is that research, supported by Race for Life events in Cheshire, is helping more people survive than ever before.

Laura Taylor, Race for Life event manager for Chester, said: “We are so very grateful to all our participants, supporters and wonderful volunteers who helped make Race for Life in Chester such an amazing event.

“Now the big day is over, we are asking everyone to take one last step – by returning the money they’ve raised so it can go into vital research to help more men, women and children survive cancer.”

Laura added: “Many people don’t realise their entry fee only covers the cost of staging the event – it’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference.

“Cancer Research UK doesn’t receive any Government funding for its ground-breaking work and the money local people raise through Race for Life is crucial because it means we can go on supporting the pioneering work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts.

“With help from the people of Chester, we intend to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”