MORE than 1,600 people put on their running shoes on Sunday, July 14 for this year’s Race for Life at Haydock Park Racecourse.

Residents remembering loved ones lost to cancer, or celebrating the lives of those who have survived the disease, took part in 5k and 10k events.

Organisers say 1,200 took part in the 5k and 400 in the 10k.

A scientist was the guest of honour at the event – which is helping to fund her important research in Liverpool.

Dr Lucy Oldfield, based at the University of Liverpool, is working on a way to improve the detection of the most common type of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

She received a £100,000 grant from Cancer Research UK this year.

Pancreatic cancer is still relatively rare, and is often diagnosed at a late stage, when treatment is less effective.

But the grant from Cancer Research UK is allowing Dr Oldfield to use advanced technology to identify possible biomarkers that could be used to help detect the disease at an earlier stage, giving patients access to potentially curable surgery and more effective treatments. 

Entries are now open for next year’s event, with a 30 per cent discount if runners sign up now using the code race2020.

To enter Race for Life visit raceforelife.org.