TODAY sees the launch of Britain's biggest women only fundraising run - the Cancer Research UK Race for Life 5K. More than 750,000 women will join together in a series of runs across Britain to help raise money for the charity. The Glasgow leg takes place on June 8 and 14,000 people are set to take part - and once again the Evening Times is media partner.

Last year, Glasgow raised almost £1million for the charity which funds vital research into an illness that will effect one in three adults in the UK

STANDING at the starting line before last year's Cancer Research's Race for Life meant the world to Carla Burns.

Everyone who had turned up on that cloudy June morning at Glasgow Green was doing their bit for cancer research.

But while the rest had spent the previous months getting in training, Carla had been in and out of hospital undergoing a gruelling regime of chemotherapy. WOMEN'S 10K . . . MAY 18 THE Resolution Asset Management Women's 10K is one of the UK's biggest women-only running events.

Open to any woman over the age of 15, it attracts thousands of participants each year. Last year it attracted more than 14,000 and there are even more expected to take part this year.

Some of the stars taking part on May 18 include Debi Edward and Suzie McGuire.

Price for entry is £22, but there is a discount for Scottish Athletics members.

There are also deals for those who sign up for both the Women's 10K and the Great Scottish Run or the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon.

For more information, log on to www.runglasgow.org or telephone 0845 270 0166. MEN'S HEALTH 10K . . . JUNE 15 WOMEN aren't keeping the roads to themselves though!

The Men's health Forum Scotland 10k run takes place in the summer.

Open to any male over 15, it is now in its third year and attracts thousands of entrants.

It will take place at Bellahouston Park on Sunday, June 15, and the city's Jogging Network has plenty of groups to help people prepare for the event.

Registration for the 10k costs £15 until March 31 and £17 thereafter, with discounts for Scottish Athletics and Men's Jogging Group members.

For more details visit www.mhfs.org.uk or call 0141 550 7514.

Sunday, June 15 - Hotline 0141 550 7515. GREAT SCOTTISH RUN . . . SEPTEMBER 6-7 THE Fresh n' Lo Great Scottish Run is Glasgow's biggest road race, with a 10k run, a half-marathon and a 3k children's race.

It begins with the junior race on Saturday, September 6, at Glasgow Green, for children aged nine to 17.

The main event is on Sunday, September 7. The 10k is open to over-15s and the half-marathon to over-17s.

Online entries are now being taken for the 10k and half-marathon.

Prices are £17.50 for the 10k and £22.50 for the half-marathon, but will rise after the official launch next month. Entry for the 3k is yet to open.

Call 0845 270 0166 or visit www.raceforlife.org Sunday, September 7 - Hotline 0845 270 0166.

For just 11 months previously, the Shawlands nurse had been hit with the body blow that she had breast cancer.

"Getting involved in the 5K was a sudden decision," says Carla, who works at Robin House, a hospital for sick children in Balloch.

"I saw an advert for the Race for Life. It was something like two weeks before the race but I decided I wanted to take part so asked my best friend Maria Daly if she would run with me.

"I said to her, I think it is a good omen. It is almost a year to the day since I was diagnosed with breast cancer'.

"Although I was very weak and my treatment had taken a toll on my body I wanted to get involved."

Carla was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 2, 2006. To look at her today and to hear the way she speaks about her condition, you would hardly believe what she has been through.

Like Kylie Minogue, who was also hit by the illness at an unusually young age, she has bounced back.

But Carla's smile and demeanour masks how tough the road to recovery has been for her and husband Frank.

"Being told I had cancer was a real shock. I found the tiniest of lumps in my breast and didn't think much of it but just in case it was a cyst I went to a GP.

"I got an appointment at the Breast Clinic at the Southern General three weeks later where they took a biopsy and told me to come back an hour later for the results.

"Frank and I were preparing to celebrate an anniversary so he had taken the day off.

We popped round to Marks & Spencer at Braehead and picked up a few things as I was convinced there was nothing wrong.

"But when I called back into the hospital and saw the doctor's face I knew there was something wrong.

"He looked at me and he said I'm so, so sorry - this isn't what I thought it was.' "Everything went into a big whirl."

She adds: "I was 30 when I was diagnosed and you think that it doesn't happen to people at 30."

Months of painful and arduous therapy followed. Carla underwent a full mastectomy followed by months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before being put on drugs.

The drug that she is using now is Tamoxifin; a hormone related therapy developed by Cancer Research UK scientists. She is running to say thank you to the scientists who saved her life.

Despite the severity of the treatment, less than 10 months later she was back at work helping the sick children who she describes as an "inspiration".

Nearly two years on, and her condition is under control. But she isn't taking anything for granted.

"I'm currently well but it my cancer is very aggressive and had spread a lot locally," she says.

"I'm not in remission; that is a term refers to someone who has something incurable but is currently well and whose disease is under control. I'm actually a NED! - no evidence of disease. But you never know what might happen.

"That's why helping Cancer Research UK is important to me. Raising money to help fund their scientists' research could help them discover something that could help me in the future."

In November last year, she had recontructive surgery and tomorrow will find out what the doctors plan to do next.

After raising more than £2000 for Cancer Research last year she has only one thing to say to anybody considering lining up for the Race for Life this year.

"Go for it. Whether you walk around it at a snail's pace or you run around it you will be helping someone."

The Glasgow Race for Life is one of four fundraising runs in Scotland taking place this year. The others are being held in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling.

It is hoped more than 48,000 women will take part across the country raising more than £3million for Cancer Research UK.

Designed to be as accessible as possible, any woman of any age and level of fitness being encouraged to take part. And it doesn't matter if you walk, jog or run every step of the way.

Real Radio Breakfast Show Host Cat Harvey is a veteran of the event.

"The Race for Life is such an amazing day for so many reasons," she says.

"It is such a positive day despite all the heartbreaking reasons for people taking part.

"I hate running but I've managed to run all the way twice in pretty good times, the emotion of the day carries you over the line and everyone can feel justifiably proud when you get a medal at the end.

"It really is a wonderful day out. Go on stick on your trainers and come and join us."

Registration for this year's event costs £12.50 and entries will close on Wednesday, June 4. This is its 15th year, and organisers expect this to be the biggest turn-out yet.

Olivia McLean, Event Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: "This year, we're delighted to be taking the Race for Life through the streets of the city centre and George Square, which will help to make Glasgow the biggest Race for Life event in the UK.

"On the day, there will be 14,000 women of all ages and abilities, shapes and sizes taking part who will motivate and inspire each other." Cancer Research Race for Life 5K.The event takes place on Sunday, June 8 at Glasgow Green. For more information log on to www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 2282.