AMONG the teams taking part in the Race for Life are a number from health and fitness clubs in the area, including women trying to improve their health by losing excess pounds and keeping fit.

Sue Menzies runs Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs in Amesbury, Salisbury, Downton, and Ringwood.

Some 70 ladies from her classes and those of colleague Suzanne Rawle have entered the Race for Life in Salisbury and in Bournemouth and have been getting in some extra practice before the off.

"A lot of them were very nervous about entering, but I showed them pictures from previous races and they could see that size and age didn't matter," says Sue. "The event is for all ages and my youngest member is 14 years and my oldest is 66 years."

Sue says morale is high because

the ladies can see themselves getting fitter.

"Those ladies fit enough to jog or even run, even if it just part of the distance, will be improving their bone density and brisk walking will improve lung capacity and strengthen their hearts."

For novice runners, the Race for Life website (www.raceforlife.org) publishes a downloadable six week training plan that lets you gradually build up your running time.

But hurry, you need to start training straight away to get in trim.