A MOTHER who lost her 16-year-old son to cancer was one of

1,780 women who took part in last night's Race for Life.

Kath Hall donned her trainers to walk 5km around Donington

Park race track in memory of her son, Alex.

The event in Castle Donington is expected to raise £165,000

for Cancer Research UK.

Joining Mrs Hall was her 79-year-old mother-in-law, Audrey

Hall, and 27 members of staff, parents and pupils from Long

Eaton School, where Alex was a pupil.

“It was quite emotional when I crossed the line and all my

friends came up to me,” said Mrs Hall, 54, of Leicester Street,

Long Eaton.

“I think Alex would have been proud of me and I really

enjoyed it. We had a lovely evening.”

Talented singer and dancer Alex was diagnosed with bone

cancer in January 2007.

He underwent two cycles of chemotherapy and major surgery on

his knee but in October last year tests revealed the cancer had

spread through his body.

He died in December at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre

with his mother and father Bryan, 52, at his bedside.

Mrs Hall said: “We decided to do it for Alex and for all the

other people who have been affected. It is a good cause.”

Also taking part in the race was mother and daughter team

Gail and Hannah Smith, 12, who finished second and 11th in the

race.

The duo, of Merlin Way, Mickleover, took part in memory of

Mrs Smith's friend, Rachel Gibbons, who died from cancer last

year.

“It was hard work but really good fun,” said Mrs Smith,

46.

“I am really proud of Hannah. She did really well.”

The Castle Donington event is now in its second year.

Organiser Allison Nolan was delighted with the turnout.

“It's been absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“We've had 500 more people than last year so it seems like

it's going from strength to strength.

“We missed the bad weather and the sun even came out for

us.

“It is an emotional day but I saw a lot of smiling faces. It

is a real sisterhood.”

The race was won by Abby Revill, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.