WOMEN from across Craven took part in the district's inaugural Race for Life on Sunday.

Despite an inauspicious damp start to the day, the sun came out as the 1,400 participants gathered for the event, which was held at Broughton Hall, near Skipton.

The race was one of 130 across the country which are held each year to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The charity aims to raise £17.5 million through the events, which are now in their 10th year.

Ten-year-old Rebecca Harrison started the race after a two minutes silence was held to remember the loved ones whose names were displayed on the runners' backs.

Rebecca, of Sutton, knows only too well how important the charity is. She was chosen as the official starter after organisers heard about her brave struggle against leukaemia.

There were plenty of supporters to cheer on the women as they set off along a five kilometre course - three miles - around the estate.

Fresh Radio supplied music and commentary, while Shelagh Brayshaw, from a local Rosemary Conley group, warmed up the participants with a rousing aerobic session.

Whether running or walking, there was encouragement en route from members of the Army Foundation College, the police, the Ladies' Circle and Skipton Athletics Club.

The atmosphere throughout was supportive and cheerful.

When a call went out for volunteers to help hand out the goody bags and medals at the end, the organisers were inundated with offers - and had to turn some of them down.

The route took the participants around a course which was a mixture of uphill and downhill slopes, cross country terrain and hard surfaces.

"It was a bit hilly!" organiser Janet Cooper admitted, "but we had to do it that way. We had to close the road and there was a church service at All Saints' at 10.45am.

" If we had done it the other way round the congregation wouldn't have been able to come out for ages! Besides, it would be hard to find a route without hills in the Yorkshire Dales."

However those taking part were rewarded with breathtaking views of the countryside at the top, and a descent to the finishing line making it look as if they had sprinted all the way!

The fastest runner completed the course in just 19 minutes and fourth home was a nine-year-old girl.

But Miss Cooper said that everyone was a winner.

"It's raising money that counts," she pointed out. "And the person that raised the most might have come in hundredth position, everyone was a winner who took part."

Large teams from Skipton's Tesco store, Skipton Homeloan Management and Skipton Building Society were joined by many local groups, including Craven Herald reporters, the staff from Skipton Girls' High School, the Calendar Girls, Barnoldswick's Bosom Friends, Skipton Police and Silsden Medical Centre.

Miss Cooper said that there had been overwhelming support from local people.

"It was very successful. 1,405 women took part in it. The atmosphere was very supportive and happy, although people were there for a serious cause," she said.

"The weather beforehand and afterwards was so poor, but the sun shone on us. The people of Skipton and surrounding areas really got behind the event."

The event was so popular that it was one of the few races across the country where entries had to be closed.

Miss Cooper said that they would definitely be holding another one next year, and were hoping to make it bigger and better.

She added that the few difficulties with parking would be addressed and she was looking at introducing a park and ride scheme next year and hoping that another field could be used to ensure a smoother journey.

Money is now coming in, and Miss Cooper says she expects the Skipton Race to raise around £60,000.

She added her thanks to Craven District Council and Fresh Radio for their support.