RUNNERS put their best foot forward yesterday racing an emotional 10km to remember loved ones taken by cancer.

About 1,800 people jogged and sprinted around 2,100 acres of parkland at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock – 400 more than last year.

Organisers hope yesterday’s event will have raised £160,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Student Jason Hillis, 20, of Whitethorn Way, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, dedicated the race to his girlfriend Connie Taylor’s family.

The 19-year-old from Littlemore lost her sister Rebecca to leukaemia seven years ago and a week later her aunt died of cancer.

Her nan also recently died of cancer.

Mr Hillis, a student at Bath University, said: “I did it for her family. This was an opportunity to give something back.

“I’m hoping to raise around £100.”

Miss Taylor, an art student at Winchester, said: “Nan died really young, she was about 60 and she had breast cancer.

“Cancer has not been very nice to my family. I’m really proud of Jason.”

Kevin Betteridge completed the race in a pink wig. The 40-year-old, who lives in Cumnor, was running for his dad Dave, 62, who has recently been diagnosed with the disease.

Speaking at the finish line, Kevin said: “The worst part was half way, when we were just coming up to the water station, after that my legs went numb.

“When I saw the 8km mark that was a bit daunting, but I feel brilliant.”

Sam Patella, 38, from Cowley, ran the race in just over 56 minutes, supported by husband David and children Luca, three and Arianna, four.

She took on the challenge in memory of her brother, Domenico, who died from lung cancer aged three.

Ms Patella said: “I started thinking about my brother and some members of my family who have been struck by cancer when I was running.

“It was a challenge to stay focused on the finish line.”

Winner Richard Beaumont, 39, of Ambrosden, near Bicester, was celebrating a personal best after crossing the finishing line in 30 minutes and 35 seconds.

Mr Beaumont, a police enquiry centre operator at Kidlington, said: “It was a very unexpected win. It was very undulating. I did a 10k four weeks ago in 37 minutes 50 so I’m very pleased.”

It is the ninth year the event has been hosted at the palace, the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

Run organiser Becky Ryczowski was pleased 400 more people turned out to the event than last year.

She said cancer affects the lives of one in three people.

She hoped the event would hit its target of £160,000 to fund research into a cure for the disease.