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YOU could feel the ripple of emotion in the air as 10,000 women got ready to run the race of their life.

Women of all ages and levels of fitness came to take part in Race for Life and to urge others on.

There were grandmothers, mothers and daughters - groups of runners and solitary athletes pounding the streets with the finish line as their goal.

Some wore fancy dress and endured the heat to wear funny wigs, bunny girl outfits and grass skirts, while most opted for more conventional running attire.

Many were taking part in memory of friends and relations whose lives have been claimed by cancer.

On the women's backs were written moving testaments to grandparents, mums, dads and friends who had sadly lost their personal battles with the disease.

The event is a graphic illustration of just how many people are affected by cancer and the work that must continue to eventually find a cure.

United in a common purpose to remember loved ones, celebrate the lives of survivors and raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK, Southampton sisters meant business.

The rain held off and the expected thunder storms thankfuly never materialised.

Instead it was a muggy morning that greeted participants.

As the minutes ticked away before the start of the race at 11am, there was a growing sense of excitement and anticipation.

But when race organiser Hannah Davies asked for a minute's silence to remember those who had been claimed by the disease, a hush fell across the crowd.

Tears were shed and memories savoured during the poignant moment - and then the silence was broken for the warm-up and the call to the start line.

Organisers hope the event will raise a whopping £800,000 this year, bringing the Southampton total over the past 11 years to about £3m for Cancer Research UK.

"It's been an amazing day and we do just hope that everyone who took part will now get their sponsorship to us as soon as possible," said Hannah.

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