TEN thousand dedicated women and girls were the heroines of the hour as Cancer Research UK's Race for Life returned to Southampton Common today.

Toddlers, tiny babies, teenagers and pensioners were united in walking or running the 5k course to raise as much money as possible for life saving research.

Hundreds of spectators lined the three-mile route as it snaked its way around The Common, through Highfield and along The Avenue.

Many of the women giving up their Sunday morning to take part were cancer survivors themselves, others were running in memory or celebration of a loved ones touched by the disease.

Together they are expected to raise an incredible £590,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The charity’s chief clinician Professor Peter Johnson – based at the University of Southampton – started the event along with record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari and Southampton mayor Councillor Elizabeth Mizon.

The atmosphere was one of celebration and of hope as thousands of women and girls came out in force for the city’s 13th Race for Life.

Don’t miss your 20-page souvenir Race for Life supplement full of news and photos from today’s event in tomorrow’s Daily Echo.