THE Race For Life is on and hundreds of women have signed up to take part in the Cancer Research UK fund raising run in Marlborough on May 8.

There will be two other Races For Life on June 4 and 5 at Lydiard Park in Swindon.

So far about 700 women have entered the Marlborough run and there is room for another 300, said local spokeswoman Karina Morgan.

She said: "Entries will close on April 29 so there are only a few days left for those who want to take part but have not yet signed on."

In 2005 Race for Life has a total fundraising goal of £24 million and a target of £60,000 for the Marlborough run and £255,000 for the Swindon races.

Cancer Research UK is asking women in the area to go the extra mile to beat the target figure. This year is the sixth time the five-kilometre race has taken place in Swindon.

In 2004, Cancer Research UK's Race for Life raised an astonishing £20 million through the efforts of over 400,000 women, with £180,000 coming directly from the Swindon race.

The event was so popular that an extra date in Swindon was added as well as a brand new race in Marlborough. The organisers are urging women to enter and to get fund raising and collecting sponsors.

They have advised that one novel way of fund-raising is for contestants to run a sweepstake on their finishing time.

"The money that you raise plays a vital role in helping to make advances in preventing, treating and curing cancer," said a spokesman for the charity.

"Your race entry fee covers the cost of organising and participating in the race, but it is the money you raise that actually goes towards Cancer Research UK's life-saving work."

Cancer Research UK currently funds 13 clinical trials in the Wiltshire area alone including trials for breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and leukaemia.

Race for Life director Jo Symington said: "While we are hugely proud of the achievement in 2004, there are still too many women taking part in Race for Life and not raising any money."

To enter Cancer Research UK's Race for Life and for tips on fundraising, log on to www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline on 08705 134 314.