GWENT'S Race for Life was deemed a "massive success" by organisers yesterday, as 500 women raised around £25,000 for charity.

The Argus joined forces with fellow sponsors Tesco, and the Sports Council for Wales to promote the event that supports the work of Cancer Research UK.

There was a carnival atmosphere at Cwmbran's Northfields recreation ground as the sun came out and the hundreds of women warmed up to music, pictured, before the race.

Many of the runners had the names of loved ones they had lost to cancer printed on their T-shirts as a tribute to them and as a reminder of what the race was in aid of.

At 11am the runners shot away, with crowds of supporters cheering them on along the 5km route around the grounds.

Just over 20 minutes later the first competitors crossed the line to more cheering, medals and goody bags.

Like many of the others, winner Andrea Clark's life had been touched by cancer and she had wanted to do something to help.

Ms Clark, a 36-year-old nursery nurse, from Rogerstone, said: "My mum's friend has just had a mastectomy and is undergoing chemotherapy at the moment. It really brought it home to me, and I wanted to do my bit.

"I actually won last year, but I run for Liswerry Athletics Club, so I probably have an unfair advantage, but this event isn't about winning."

Francesca Skinner, 21, of Coed-y-Paen, near Pontypool, was another entrant whose life had been affected by cancer.

Ms Skinner, who works at Cwmbran Stadium as a fitness instructor, said: "I have had friends and a family member who have had cancer, and raising money for research is a really good motivator. It has been a great day and the music and crowd really lift you, it's a really positive way of dealing with these issues."

The race is said to be for anyone from eight to 80, but Chloe Palmer may have been the youngest at just five years old.

Chloe, who is a pupil at Lliswerry Infants, and her mum, Sarah Powell, raised nearly £80 in sponsorship. Ms Powell said: "She ran the whole way and made it in 40 minutes, I really couldn't believe it. We've had a great day and it's good to do something to help."

Another youngster, Rachel Longshaw-Park, marked her 13th birthday by running her first race. Rachel told the Argus: "The race was so special because my granddad is in remission from cancer and it's my birthday, it was a great thing to take part in."

Race organiser Nick Wright, 28, said: "It's been a massive success, almost 500 runners have raised around £25,000 for Cancer Research. Last year was the first time we held this event, and we raised £18,000 with the help of 350 runners, you can see it's getting bigger.

"We hope to make it an annual event and encourage more people to take part. Every penny goes to the charity, who employ more than 3,000 scientists to research treatments for a whole range of cancers."