SKIPTON'S third Race for Life has finally arrived.

Places for the event, which will be held on Sunday, filled up around two weeks ago, meaning 3,000 women will be on the starting line.

The five kilometre race, organised by Cancer Research UK, will take place on the Broughton Hall Estate.

Grandmother Jean Murray has been given the honour of starting the race at 11am.

Mrs Murray, who lives in Barnoldswick, has been battling against cancer for the last 10 years, but this has not stopped her signing up for the 2005 event.

She completed last year's event with the aid of a walking stick.

This year will see team entries from Tesco, which is supporting the event nationally, and 22 teachers from South Craven School, Cross Hills. They have named themselves "School Belles".

Last year 2,000 women took part in the event and brought in £87,000 for the cancer charity. This year the goal is £95,000.

With one in three women taking part in Race for Life not expected to send in their sponsor money, the organisers have stressed the importance of the cash in funding vital research into the disease.

One in three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives and one in nine women will get breast cancer.

But the good news is that due to earlier detection and improved treatment breast cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by 22 per cent in the last 10 years.

Race organiser Katie Birkett is advising women to arrive between 9.30am and 10am. Anyone arriving later than 10.30am is unlikely to get into the estate in time for the race start. The warm-up aerobic session and speeches will start at 10.30am.

Mrs Birkett said: "This is going to be a phenomenal day. It's about taking part, not about completing the race. It is about raising money and having fun with your family, friends and colleagues."

The event takes place just off the A59 at Broughton and parking will be well signposted. The turn off to the car park is near the Bull Inn pub. There are no changing facilities on site and water will only be supplied at the end of the race. Portable toilets will be available.

Volunteer helpers are still being sought for the day. Anyone who can lend a hand is asked to call 01756 753962.

The Craven Herald would like to hear from anyone who has a particular story behind why they are taking part in the Race for Life. Stories can be emailed to reporter Jenny Speak at jenny.speak@skipton.newsquest. co.uk