ALMOST 2,000 runners braved the heatwave yesterday to do their bit to beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life returned to Northfields Recreation Ground in Cwmbran, with organisers hoping to raise £120,000 to tackle the disease.

The mammoth event attracts women and girls of all ages – from runners looking to get their best time over the five-kilometre course, to those raising money in the memory of their nearest and dearest who lost their battle with cancer.

The event was a family affair for Carol Ware, and has been for several years.

Along with daughters Emily, nine, and Megan, seven, from Pontypool, she has taken part for four years in memory of Mrs Ware’s mother Moreen Cutter, who died of breast cancer 23 years ago.

“My mum would have wanted me here,” she said.

Student Jade Toms, 19, from Cwmbran and chef Cerianne Davies, 25, from Pontypool, came dressed as pink-tinted venetian goddesses.

They ran in memory of their grandfather Graham Davies, who died of cancer seven years ago, while their grandmother Daphne Davies made a full recovery from breast cancer a couple of years back.

Ms Toms said: “It’s important that people take part so we can find a cure.”

For some runners, just taking part in itself was a personal achievement after having beaten the disease.

Rhiannon Robinson, 34, of Newbridge, was a keen runner who ran 10km, 5km and half marathon events and even ran for Wales until she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma 12 years ago. Tragically she has also lost her grandfather and several friends to the disease. Ms Robinson is now returning to running and scored one of the best times, completing the circuit in 20 minutes. She shared in her success with her three-yearold son Owen Robinson, who she described as a “little miracle”.

“I wasn’t able to have children ten years ago, but he’s made up for it,” she said.

Saleswoman Pip Rumsey, 37, from Raglan, won her battle with cervical cancer last year. She had taken part in the London marathon this year but had to go to hospital after suffering from dehydration and stomach problems afterwards – not helped, she said, by her bout with the disease. But she completed yesterday’s 5km race in 29 minutes.

“Taking part is for me really, as a personal achievment to show that I can get back and do it again,” she said.

Emma Wookey, 17, of Newport, was first through the finish line first with a time of 19.48.

Area event manager Kate Avery said around 1,900 people took part this year. She added: “Cwmbran is a fantastic local community event, the atmosphere here is second to none.”