MORE than 600 women and girls have already signed up for Boltons Race for Life - with five months still to go.

The majority have paid the £10 entry fee for the morning race on Sunday, July 23, at Leverhulme Park to ensure a place.

Last year, the 2,000 places on the 11am race filled up quickly and organisers had to arrange a second race at 2pm, which was two-thirds full.

So, this year, they urged would-be entrants to book early for the races, which are part of a nationwide fund-raising event for Cancer Research UK.

A website opened last month to accommodate interest.

Last year's event, which saw females of all ages and levels of fitness running or walking the woodland and road course, attracted 3,300 entrants and raised almost £180,000 for the charity. It was the fourth local Race for Life and raised almost £30,000 more than the previous year.

Holly Scholes, national events executive for Race for Life, said entries for the race were three per cent up on the same time last year.

"People do need to get their entries in as soon as possible because the race is now so popular," she added.

The Wigan race in June has already closed, with 1,500 competitors signed up.

l To enter, log on to the website www.raceforlife.org or ring 08705 134314