A SEA of pink is set to descend on Kingston Maurward this weekend as runners take part in the Dorchester Race for Life.

Hundreds of women will be striking a defiant message in the battle against cancer as they take on the 5km route.

The event, which raises funds for Cancer Research UK, is being held on Sunday and organisers say entry levels have already exceeded their targets.

Cancer Research UK’s Dorchester event manager Maxine Bateman said that more than 1,650 women had signed up to join the fight, exceeding their target of 1,600.

Last year 1,473 women took part in the event to raise over £79,000 and with the impressive entry levels Maxine is confident that those taking part can beat a fundraising target of £83,000.

Maxine said: “Race for Life is not competitive and it’s not about being fit or fast. It’s about thousands of women coming together to show cancer who’s boss.”

She added: “Participants can choose to walk, jog, run or even dance their way around the course. They are united by their determination to beat cancer.”

Among those taking part in this year’s Dorchester Race for Life is county town mayor Stella Jones.

She said she is looking forward to the big day and hoping for fine weather.

Cllr Jones said: “It’s a good way of getting fit and raising money at the same time.”

The Race for Life website has been helping entrants with six-week training plans for all levels of ability and Maxine says that getting in shape for the event and keeping that up can help reduce the risk of cancer.

However, she said that did not mean all those taking part had to embark on a rigorous training regime.

She said: “The atmosphere and excitement on the day will certainly get everyone’s blood pumping!”

For more information about the event visit raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.

  • A TEAM of staff from Dorchester’s Tesco store has issued a rallying cry of ‘cancer, we’re coming to get you’.

Fifteen members of staff from the Weymouth Avenue supermarket will be taking on the 5km route and hope to raise about £500.

The store’s community champion Lisa Bedford said: “We’re excited about being part of the amazing, formidable army of women who will hit cancer where it hurts by taking part in the Race for Life.

“Our team is made up of 15 members of staff and we signed up because we all know someone whose life has been touched by the disease.”

Head of Race for Life Emma Hyatt said: “We’re very grateful to the ladies from Tesco for signing up to take on cancer at the Race for Life. The event is an amazing way to celebrate life but also remember those who have been lost to the disease.”