More than 1,500 women have already signed up for this year’s Race for Life at Hampstead Heath – an event expected to raise thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Organisers are urging women of all shapes, sizes and ages who are keen to take part to enter in the coming weeks before registration closes.

Last year, 2,188 women ran, walked and jogged the 5km course – raising £238,205 through sponsorship.

This year, it is hoped that 2,200 will enter to help hit a fundraising target of £240,000.

Student Ellie Cohen, 21, took part last year after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 19.

She said: “I wanted to do something to raise money and awareness for cancer.

“I did the race with my friends but, because I was recovering, I couldn’t run the whole course. So I’m determined to do it this year.”

Ellie, who went to Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead Garden Suburb, is now studying chemical engineering at Nottingham University.

She is in remission after undergoing chemotherapy and surgery to remove tumours on one of her ovaries.

“I’m fully recovered now and have been training several times a week,” she said.

“The races are good because they’ve got me back to being active again after being ill.

“The work Cancer Research UK does is amazing – tackling cancer at the source, pushing research boundaries and using the money for scientific research.

“I think there’s a lack of awareness about how young people can get ovarian cancer. That’s why it’s important to keep raising the issue.”

This year, Ellie will be running the Race for Life in Nottingham.

In Hampstead, 1,541 women have signed up for the event on July 6.

Non-competitive

Event manager Felicity Stevens said: “We are absolutely thrilled that so many women have entered Race for Life in Hampstead.

“But we still have places left so we are urging women to sign up as soon as possible.

“Race for Life is non-competitive. So there’s no need to worry about being fit or fast. It doesn’t matter if you walk, jog or even dance your way around the course.

“There are more than 200 cancers and we won’t give up until we find cures for them all. It’s fighting talk – and we mean every word we say.”

Women are also being encouraged to bag up clothes, books and accessories that they no longer use and take them to the Donation Station at Race for Life. Each bag of goods can raise up to £25 for research work.

n To enter this year’s Race for Life visit, www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.