MANY were running, others were walking . . . and some were being pushed along in wheelchairs.

But all had a common aim: to cross the finishing line to help to give hope to those hit by cancer.

And they were cheered every step of the way by crowds who lined the route to give their support.

Two thousand women of all ages ignored the showery weather to complete the three miles -- five kilometres -- of Bolton's second

Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research at Leverhulme Park.

Many taking part were running in memory of loved ones who had lost their fight to cancer.

All were determined to raise cash to help find a cure for the killer disease.

Runners included Jackie Gavin, running in memory of her six-year-old daughter, Mollie. Marilyn Weall walked the course as a tribute to her son, Stephen, who died last year from cancer and Lynette Owen, who took part in memory of her friend, Michaela Laithwaite, who died from cervical cancer, aged just 34.

The inaugural race last year attracted 1,300 runners but this year, the demand to run the Race For Life was phenomenal and was full to capacity weeks before the event.

Organisers hailed the run a success and hoped it would generate £90,000 -- £40,000 more than last year.

Vicky Hope, of Cancer Research, said: "It has gone really well. I am so pleased that the poor weather did not put the runners off. They were all fantastic.

"We are now looking forward to people sending as much sponsorship money back to us as possible."

The skies were grey over Leverhulme Park just an hour before the start of the event as thousands of people descended on the park either to run or support the event.

The majority of runners had poignant messages pinned to the back of their T-shirts, with mums, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents all remembered in one way or another by the competitors.

Tower FM -- promoters of the event with the Bolton Evening News -- broadcast live from the park and DJ Paul Fairclough, whose mother died of cancer, presented the show.

Tower FM presenter Victoria Robinson was among the competitors, running in memory of her fellow DJ's mother.

She said: "You just have to look around at all these women, with pink messages on the backs of their shirts, to realise how much cancer affects us. It is fantastic to see that all these women are doing their bit to help to beat it."

The rain stopped as the women began their mass aerobics warm-up 15 minutes before the start.

Then the people lining the track and in the grandstand stood and cheered as Horwich mum Jill Rogerson, who is battling stomach cancer, got the race under way at 11am. Jill, who works for Race for Life sponsors Tesco, had been

chosen to be first to step over the starting line.

The first runner home was 17-year-old Katie Smith, of Bolton -- who completed the race in 25 minutes.

Katie, who said she was just a fun runner, said: "It was a great feeling for me to cross the finish line in first place, but doing it for Cancer Research, that is what mattered more than anything."

The race started and ended on the Leverhulme Park running track. The route took the runners through the park and along a stretch of Long Lane before again re-entering the park near the junction with Leacroft Avenue.

Every woman who completed the run received a commemorative medal and a souvenir pack.

Claire Whalley, aged 26, of Bolton, ran for her work colleague Ian Banks, a deputy headteacher from Horwich's Lord Street Primary School, who died from cancer last weekend.

She said: "It has been very emotional for me, especially with what happened to Ian. He was a very close friend of mine from school and I was devastated when he passed away. I had to complete this race for Ian."

Carol Barrow, aged 36, of Bolton, ran for her mum, Georgina Hughes, who lost her battle with bone cancer two years ago.

She said: "I feel great that I have finished the race. I had to do this for my mum. She died suddenly and had a horrendous fight. It was very painful in the end. She was looked after very well by Bolton Hospice."

One of the oldest participants was 89-year-old Sarah Foster, of Crompton Vale, Bolton, who was dressed as grandma from Little Red Riding Hood.

She was joined by 49-year-old Vivienne Foster, from Horwich, who dressed as a wolf, and Little Red Riding Hood -- 53-year-old Angela Morris, also of Crompton Vale.

Mrs Foster, who was pushed along in her wheelchair, said: "My whole family has been wiped out by cancer -- there is only me left. I was determined not to miss out on the race. It is my second race and I loved every minute of it."

Julie Jones, aged 35, of Breightmet, completed the run in just under 31 minutes with her friend, Vicky Turner, aged 33, of Bromley Cross.

Julie said: "I ran for my uncle Gerry and uncle Owen, who both died from cancer. I only started training ten weeks ago, so I'm pleased that I have done it."

Jane Caldwell, aged 36, of Tottington, said: "I ran for my aunt and grandma who died from cancer last year. I would do anything to stop this killer disease so taking part in the run is my way of helping."

Joyce Smith, aged 54, of Egerton, completed the race in just under 54 minutes.

She ran for 26-year-old cousin Donna Ince, who died of a brain tumour, and close friend Diane Lunt, who lost her fight with breast cancer.

Joyce said: "It meant a lot to me to do this race for them.

"Donna was only young and had so much of her life in front of her, and Diane was only 54 when she passed away.

"The crowd kept me going, they came out from their houses and cheered us. They were fantastic."