More than 6,500 women in Oxford have taken part in three Race for Life events this weekend to raise £500,000 for cancer research.

There was bright sunshine to welcome the runners to the University Parks in the centre of the city where women ran a 5km course around the parks.

Two of the races were held yesterday, with the third this morning.

Every pound raised will go directly to the scientists, doctors and nurses working to find new treatments at the Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre at the Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals in Headington.

About 400 men dressed in red T-shirts gathered in the University Parks to take part in Oxford's first Run for Moore event today - raising an estimated £60,000 for cancer research.

Many of the women taking part in Race for Life were running in memory of a loved one who died of cancer, or a friend or family member receiving treatment for the disease.

Cancer Research UK event organiser Vikki Savery said: "I lost my mum to cancer when I was 15.

"One in three people will be touched by cancer in their lifetime. A lot people are here to remember loved ones lost and to celebrate people who have to fight the disease."

Kathy Rixon, from Grove, 38, ran in memory of her mother Betty, 50, who died of breast cancer when she was seven.

She said: "It is vital that women go for regular screenings. I need to be screened at 40 instead of 50 because there is a history of breast cancer in the family."

Running partner Alison Gillies, 35, from Wantage, was running for her mum Agnes, 59, who was treated for breast cancer nine years ago.

She said: "My mum survived because of the advances in treatment over the years. They caught it early, but if she had got this 20 years earlier she might not have survived."

Maria Young, 40, from Iffley, Oxford, took part in memory of her mother Eileen Stafford, who died aged 60 in November, following a two-year fight against bowel cancer.

Running with her daughter Acushla, 12, she said: "When you have been affected by cancer personally it makes you realise how important it is to join in with events like Race for Life."

Amy Beatty, 21, a mum of one from Witney, walked the course despite being eight months pregnant, supported by BBC Oxford presenter Jo Thoenes, 34.

Amy said: "I did the race last year and I didn't want to let being pregnant put me off."

Jane Barnard, 45, Jo Green, 40, Emma Worthy, 40, and Nicky Barker, 43, all teaching assistants at Larkmead School, Abingdon, ran in support of colleague Rachel Kelly, 38, who recently finished treatment for breast cancer.

"It's very upsetting when this happens to one of your colleagues and we are doing our little bit for Rachel," said Ms Barnard.

Lesley Pollock, 52, from Middleton Cheney, near Banbury, was in a team of women running in memory of Sarah Gibson, 51, who died last month from cancer.

Mrs Gibson was a teacher at Marsh Gibbon Primary School, near Bicester, and her funeral was attended by 400 people on Thursday.

Mrs Pollock ran with her daughter Susie, 14, friend Tracey Bell, 41, from Woodstock and her daughter Eliza, 14.

Mrs Pollock said: "It was a very emotional funeral for Sarah who fought against cancer for years."

Trish Southfield, 34, of Eynsham Road, Botley, ran with Anne Weedley, a colleague at Tesco in Kidlington, who is suffering cancer.

"Anne is receiving treatment after being diagnosed in October," said Mrs Southfield.

First past the post in the opening Race for Life was Imogen Kempton, 13, from Oxford, running with her mum Sophie and sister Flora.

Imogen, a pupil at The Cherwell School, completed the course in about 19 minutes.

She came third in the event last year and ran in memory of her grandmother who died of cancer, and in support of a family friend who is suffering from the disease.

Organisers have increased the number of races from three to four this year, and places are still available for the Heythrop Park Race for Life, near Chipping Norton, on Sunday, June 22.

The 5km, men-only Run for Moore event raises money for bowel cancer research and was founded in honour of England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, who died from the disease in 1993, aged 51.

There are six Run for Moore races taking place across the country and former England goalkeeper David Seaman was in Oxford to start the run.

Mr Seaman, 44, who retired with 75 caps, is the patron of Run for Moore. He said: "I lost my mother-in-law to bowel cancer 11 years ago, so this is my way of trying to give something back.

"Being a goalkeeper, I am only used to running 18 yards, so I am only out here for a jog."

Mr Seaman, who was awarded an MBE for services to football, told the crowd how he raised £10,000 for charity by having his ponytail cut off on TV.

It is hoped that the Oxford Run for Moore will raise about £60,000.

Run for Moore spokesman Kate Saner said: "Race for Life is so successful in Oxford that we wanted to provide an alternative event for men.

"Staging Run for Moore on the same day as Race for Life is a great idea because it means the men are not left hanging around and they have their own event to raise funds for a good cause.

"Bowel cancer is the second-highest killing cancer, but it is also 95 per cent curable if it is caught early, so this is also a good opportunity to raise awareness of the symptoms.

"It is great to see David Seaman here taking part in the race because he has done so much for the organisation."

Adam Dewar, 25, a logistics manager, and accountant Martin Trower, 25, both from Abingdon, took part in the race after meeting a group of girls in the town's Cross Keys pub who were taking part in Race for Life.

"They encouraged us to enter for Run for Moore and between us we have raised about £1,000," said Mr Dewar.