A TOTAL of 1,300 women ran their hearts out to help fund ground-breaking research into cancer.

They completed the 5km course around University Parks, Oxford, yesterday (SUNDAY) as part of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Race For Life.

It is hoped that £40,000 will be raised from the Oxford run alone, one of 50 races held throughout the country each year aimed at raising a total of £1.5m.

Part of the cash will help pay for the vital International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) currently taking place at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.

The project identifies and treats women at greater risk of contracting breast cancer.

Oxford's Race For Life is in its third year and was a great success.

Organiser Gareth Mulcahy said: "It was a great day. Some people who had never run before came along to raise money."

The women who took part included members of Oxfordshire running clubs and complete novices, sponsored by family and friends to run, jog or walk round the course.

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