Christine Morton, 59, celebrates at the finish. (0581269)

A MEXICAN wave followed by a mass countdown heralded the start of yesterday’s Race for Life at Foote’s Lane.  Some 1,800 women set out on the five-kilometre course to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

About 750,000 were expected to take part in the nationwide event from which the charity hopes to raise £50m. to fund research into prevention, treatment and cure of the disease. ‘Last year’s event in Guernsey raised £98,000 and we are hoping that this year’s total will be £107,000,’ said event manager Carly Gibbs.

‘The sponsorship money raised per head in Guernsey tends to be much higher than it is elsewhere.’ This year’s event included a reflection area where women who chose to run with the names of loved ones they had lost to the disease pinned on their back could display the sign afterwards.

Some 30 minutes before the start, a mass aerobics session took place for runners at one end of the track. The oldest participant was 82-year-old Edna Hallam, who was competing for the third time while the youngest entrant was Maelle Hancock, aged nine months. First across the finish line was athlete Sarah Mercier in 19min. 36sec. but Miss Gibbs said the day was more about money than minutes or miles.