ABOUt 4,000 women made Maidstone's seventh Race for Life event another resounding success at the weekend.

The 5km race was held in Mote Park, Maidstone, on Sunday to raise thousands of pounds for research into cancers that affect women.

* THE effort of hours of running and months of trying to get fit are over - but for most Race for Life participants the hardest task begins now.

Each year Cancer Research UK loses hundreds of thousands of pounds because people who started off with the best of intentions forget to collect, or hand in, sponsorship money.

Every woman who entered the race on Sunday was asked to do their best to raise £50. But if you only made £10 or £20 don't be put off from sending the cash in.

The charity hopes to raise £17.5m from this year's Race for Life events nationally - but that's all down to people nagging sponsors for their promised cash and not forgetting to post the money.

Every entrant was given a sponsorship money send off form in their Race for Life information pack, but if you have mislaid this, just send a cheque with your name and race location to Race for Life, PO Box 50, Crawley, RH10 9WA.

Alternatively, you can keep the cash you raised yourself and pay the amount by credit card by ringing 08705 134314. Please make sure you have your details ready.

BLOB - There is another way to help raise more money for Cancer Research UK. There are two other Kent races which still have places on offer.

They are the Canterbury Race, on Herne Bay's seafront on Sunday, July 13, from 11am and the Folkestone race, on the Leas on Sunday, July 20, starting at 11am.

For more details on how to enter either race, call the Race for Life hotline on 08705 134314.

FOR FULL REPORT AND MORE PICTURES OF LAST SUNDAY'S RACE SEE FRIDAY'S KENT MESSENGER