BOLTON'S Race for Life was a huge success in 2005 raising almost £180,000.

Last year's women-only race smashed the previous year's record for money raised.

Preparations are now in hand for the 2006 Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Leverhulme Park, Breightmet.

Organisers have set the date of Sunday, July 23, for this year's race, which again will be split into a morning and an afternoon race.

Holly Scholes, national events executive for Race For Life, said: "As we enter the fourth year of Race For Life at Bolton, the total sponsorship money raised to date is more than £358,500 of which over £178,200 was raised in 2005."

This is despite fewer than half of all the local girls and women who took part in the race actually sending in their sponsorship money.

The race had to be split in to two separate races last year as the number of entrants rose to 3,300. The two races have smashed the target of £115,000 which was the amount raised the previous year.

Women and girls wishing to enter this year's event will be able to apply over the internet this month.

All the money raised goes directly to scientists to fund research into finding a cure for different cancers, and the Race for Life has raised more than £70 million nationally since it began in 1994.

The 2005 Bolton event was one of the final races of the 162 held acros the country.

Females of all ages and levels of fitness took part in the race over the three-mile woodland and road course, many wearing the names of loved ones in whose memory they were taking part.

Workmates, families and groups of friends competed together, some choosing to walk rather than run.

Runners who have yet to send in their sponsorship money from last year can stil do so by calling the events hotline 08705 134314.

Sponsor money can also be sent by cheque, along with the completed sponsorship form, to Cancer Research UK, Race For Life, PO Box 50, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9WA. All cheques should be made payable to Cancer Research UK.