Dame Kelly joins Race For Life (From Epsom Guardian)

Dame Kelly joins Race For Life in Battersea Park

7:50am Saturday 16th June 2012 in News

Dame Kelly Holmes joined 5,000 women at the starting line of Cancer Research's Race For Life 2012 in Battersea Park on Wednesday.

The double Olympic champion was ambassador for this year’s race which is the largest series of women-only fundraising events in the UK.

Dame Kelly lost her former coach and friend Dave Arnold to cancer in 2006 so it is a cause very close to her heart.

The pair formed a tight bond since the beginning of her athletics career, in 1990 at the age of 12, culminating in her winning two gold medals at the Athens 2004 Olympics. The 42-year-old former Army sergeant said: "Race for Life in partnership with Tesco is a fantastic event and gives all women, regardless of age and fitness level, the opportunity to get together, have fun and celebrate life, as well as enjoy the spirit of health and fitness which is very close to my heart.

"I’d urge all women to sign up now and help make a difference in the fight against cancer."

Since it began in 1994, six million participants have taken part in Race for Life raising a whopping £457 million for Cancer Research UK’s vital work.