For the first time on Saturday, those taking part could choose to complete either a 5km or 10km course around the beach and common areas. The race has taken place annually for around 20 years.
Before the race began the runners, mostly dressed in pink, took part in a joint warm up and gathered for a minute’s silence in contemplation of the cause.
Jenny Ainsworth, area manager for the South of England, was in the island for the event and said it was a particularly beautiful setting for the charity fundraiser.
‘We have worked with the Vale Commons Council and States Works to make this possible, it definitely helps for the women to be able to run in these surroundings.
‘We had a lot of requests for a 10k last year and we like to listen to the feedback we get and so we introduced it. A further distance means more sponsorship money for the charity so we were glad to,’ she said.
More than 450 women and girls – and a few boys – took part. Miss Ainsworth said the numbers of those taking on the 10km challenge had surpassed her expectations.
‘The thing about the Race for Life is that it is a non-competitive event, anyone can do it, there are people in recovery and in remission taking part. There’s also the warm ups and the atmosphere that motivates everyone along,’ she said.
Runner Janet Cavagnetto, 59, was running her 6th Race for Life, a 10km, this time in memory of her good friend of 25 years, Helen.
‘I signed up the day that she died a few weeks ago. I didn’t tell anybody I was doing it at first because I just needed this time to think about her.
‘The second 5km was easier than the first actually because you could get your pace up out on your own. As I came up to the end I was in tears just thinking about my lovely friend.
‘Everyone’s got someone, none of us are on our own, be we man, woman or child. We all know someone who is affected,’ she said.
It is estimated that this year’s run will raise £30,000 for Cancer Research UK which will go towards funding research and treatment across the country.
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