THOUSANDS of women are expected to take part in the Race for Life at North Weald Airfield this evening.

An estimated 2,200 women will walk, jog and run the 5km route, hoping to raise a total of about £230,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The event will begin at 6pm, with food stalls, cheerleaders and face-painting and the warm-up will start at 7.10pm, before the chairwoman of Epping Forest District Council, Cllr Anne Grigg, officially starts the race at 7.30pm.

Many participants will race in support or memory of loved ones who have been affected by cancer, including 20-year-old Louise Burns of Hillyfields, Loughton, who will run in memory of her aunt Silvie, who died of breast cancer in 2007.

Event organiser Lucy Hind said: “The amount we are hoping to raise is phenomenal and it all goes towards beating cancer.

“This has always been an evening event and I think it’s lovely, because people can come after work with their families and supporters.”

Are you taking part in the Race for Life? Contact reporter Clare Hardy on 07795 507440 or via email at chardy@london.newsquest.co.uk