Among those preparing to take part in the 5km run at Stormont on June 3 is Dr Wendy Allen - a postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology in Queen's University.

Wendy, who lost her mother to lung cancer last year, was inspired to run because it helps her remember the tough battle faced by her mum.

She told the Belfast Telegraph: "The reason that I take part in the race for life is two-fold. Firstly, I currently work as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology in Queen's University Belfast.

"Our work is aimed at identifying predictive markers of response for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

"Specifically, we want to identify a cassette of genes that will tell us whether a patient will respond to a given chemotherapy regime or not, which will lead to individualised treatment for each patient.

"This work is currently funded in full by Cancer Research UK and without this funding we would not be able to continue this research at this level or pace.

"Secondly, and more importantly to me, my mum was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer three years ago and underwent two gruelling cycles of palliative chemotherapy and later some radiotherapy. The first round of chemotherapy was unsuccessful, however, the second round gave some benefit.

"The chemotherapy took its toll on my mum, but she was a fighter and kept going, trying to lead as normal a life as she could through the pain that she was suffering.

"My mum battled the disease for two years, but lost her fight a year ago.

"I saw the advertisements for the Race for Life in Tesco and entered last year as it gave me something to focus on. For me running in the Race for Life gives me a chance to remember the arduous battle my mum fought and also to raise money for more research so that other families may be spared the pain that we, as a family, are currently going through."

Race for Life is celebrating its 10th year in Ulster and has already raised more than £300,000 for life-saving research.

Two other races are planned for Coleraine and Lurgan.

For more information log onto www.raceforlife.org or call the hotline 087 0513 4314.