CANCER survivors and women who have lost relatives to the disease will be among the thousands who will pull on their trainers this weekend to raise money for research.

Professor of experimental cancer medicine Ruth Plummer – whose research is funded by Cancer Research UK – will set 3,000 women on their way in the Durham Race for Life, which takes place at the city’s Graham Sports Centre on Sunday.

It is hoped women taking part will raise £130,000 to fund vital research.

The charity has called for volunteers to help make sure the event runs smoothly. Men and women of any age will be welcome.

Race for Life is the UK’s largest female-only fundraising event where women of all ages and fitness levels walk, jog, or run 5km to raise money for cancer research.

Durham participants will be part of a total of 700,000 women from across the UK, taking part at more than 230 events between May and July. Organisers hope a total of £60m will be raised.

Holly Howey, area event manager for Durham, said: “We are delighted so many women have responded to our invitation to join us at Race for Life again this year and we hope to have a real party atmosphere.

“The Durham event is always a brilliant experience, with local women coming together to make a positive difference to the lives of people touched by cancer.

“It’s not just the thousands of women who take part in Race for Life that are important to us – without our volunteers, the event simply wouldn’t happen.

“Putting on a Race for Life event is like a major military operation that starts long before the first participants arrive and ends long after the last one crosses the finish line.

“There are a huge variety of important tasks that need to be done, including helping to set up the 5km course and main event area, marshalling the course, assisting in the information marquee and handing out water, goody bags and medals at the finish.”

Anyone who would like to help at the Durham event should come along on Sunday for 9am.

The race starts at 11am, following a mass aerobic warm up at 10.30am.