Telegraph & Argus reporter MEL FAIRHURST put on her running shoes to join the thousands taking part in Bradford's Race for Life event

As I sit writing this piece, my legs don't feel like they belong to me and I am sweating profusely over the keyboard.

My sister Natalie and I were two of thousands of women who took on the annual Race for Life One Big Weekend yesterday, when the most events across the country took place and the most money was raised.

Despite four months training in all weathers, nothing could have prepared us for the sheer humidity of one of the hottest days of the year.

Most of us sported cool sports gear, but sympathy went out to some ladies who had opted for fancy dress, including a trio wearing pink, sparkly dresses. They entertained us on stage with a rendition of car advert for women, Sheila's Wheels'.

After a 15-minute warm-up at Bradford's venue, Manningham's majestic Lister Park, there was a poignant one-minute silence in remembrance and in hope.

Nervously we waited for the countdown before we set off to the strains of the Rocky theme tune.

Unfortunately, the run starts with an uphill struggle, which managed to finish some of us off immediately. But, what goes up must come down and the moving messages on runners' T-shirts in memory of loved ones and for those in remission kept us going.

The race takes in Cartwright Hall and the nearby bandstand, where musicians helped keep up momentum before finally, the best bit - a 600-yard downhill slope to the finish.

And, yes, we did get round in one piece and in 30 minutes.

Congratulations to all the Lister Park runners who were expected to raise more than £300,000 for Cancer Research UK. Where do I sign up for next year?