A CARNIVAL atmosphere prevailed as women runners lined up to take part in Winchester's third Race for Life.

More than 2,500 people took part in the annual event to raise an estimated £165,000 for Cancer Research UK

Many of the women and girls taking part in Sunday's race had been directly affected by the disease, which it is believed more than one in three people nationwide will develop during their lifetime.

A crowd of about 1,000 supporters gathered to whoop and cheer the contenders along as they completed the 5km course in the picturesque grounds of the River Park Leisure Centre.

Race organiser Lorna Glanfield said: "It was an absolutely fabulous day to see all the women of Winchester coming together for the third time to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

"The race has grown over the years from 1,200 to 2,000 to over 2,500 this year.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere, a really emotional but fabulous day."

Many of the participants wore signs on their backs dedicated in memory or in celebration of someone they know who had been affected by the disease.

Amid a sea of blue balloons, the mood was euphoric as females of all ages and levels of fitness crossed the finish line, delighted that all their hard work and training had paid off.

Mum-of-three Morag Lane, 34, of Fleet, won the race in a time of just under 20 minutes.

The software developer said: "I feel fantastic. I have had an injury and was just running to make it round, so I am really pleased."

*For more pictures, see this week's Hampshire Chronicle.