Enrolment for this year’s Race for Life events is now open and women from across the county can push themselves even harder in 2009, with a 10km course at a new venue.

Last year, 8,342 women took part in Oxfordshire’s Race for Life events last summer, raising £528,552 in sponsorship — which went to helps 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 Oxford.

This summer, as well as two events at Oxford’s University Parks – on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7 – the charity is moving its July event in west Oxfordshire, previously held at Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton, to Cornbury Park, near Charlbury.

The Charlbury Race for Life, which will take place on Sunday, July 26, will double the length of the course from 5km to 10km, offering competitors the chance to both challenge themselves and raise even more money for research into cancer.

And among the runners will be the owner of Cornbury Park, mother-of-two Lady Rotherwick, 45.

She said: “I have taken part in a number of events for cancer charities, but this will be my first Race for Life and I’m very pleased it will be here at Cornbury.

“It’s a gorgeous location and I am really looking forward to there being a fabulous atmosphere.”

Lady Rotherwick will be cheered on in the event by her husband, Lord Rotherwick, and children Gus, eight, and Clemmie, three.

She said: “One of my closest friends is currently fighting cancer so I’m very proud to be taking part in Race for Life. This event shows that much good can come from something bad.

“I have already circulated an email to all my friends and family asking for sponsorship, or encouraging them to take part themselves.

“It’s a great cause and I think the event will be terribly uplifting for all those who take part.”

Becky Ryczowski, Race for Life area event manager for Oxfordshire, said: “I’m really excited that we’re able to offer double the distance in Charlbury this year.

”Women of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes join in Race for Life.

“They motivate and inspire each other to complete the course. Many simply walk round, chatting and having fun, but they all share the wonderful spirit of sisterhood and pride on the day and we’re hoping even more women put their best feet forward to fund research.”

Last year’s competitors enjoyed bright sunshine and encouragement from hundreds of spectators lining their route.

In Oxford, many of the women who took part did so in memory of a loved one who had died of cancer, or a friend or family member who was receiving treatment for the disease.

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

Lesley Pollock, 52, of Middleton Cheney, was in a team of women running in memory of Sarah Gibson, 51, who died from cancer. Mrs Gibson was a teacher a Marsh Gibbon Primary School.

Amy Beatty, 22, from Witney, walked the course despite being eight months pregnant with her second daughter Niamh. She was supported by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Jo Thoenes, 34.

And first past the post in the opening Race for Life was Imogen Kempton 13, from Oxford, who ran with her mother, Sophie, and sister, Flora. Imogen, a pupil at the Cherwell School, completed the course in about 19 minutes.

She was running in memory of her grandmother, who died of cancer.

Cancer Research UK will make changes to the events in the University Parks — with the courses altered slightly to make them less crowded.

Ms Ryczowski said: “We hope everyone will accept our invitation to do something amazing by taking part in Race for Life. The number of people surviving cancer is increasing... but we still have a long way to go.”

For details of how to enter, see the website raceforlife.org or call 0871 6412282.

*The Oxford Mail wants to hear from women taking part in this year’s Race for Life. If you are planning to take part, call Debbie Waite on 01865 425428 or email her at: dwaite@oxfordmail.co.uk