WINNIE HUDSON was putting the final touches to her training programme today as the oldest entrant in Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life – at the age of 102.

Mrs Hudson completed the 5km “run” for the first time last year.

And she was so inspired by the experience that she has persuaded her 100-year-old friend, Margaret Hill, to take part with her in the 2009 event in York, later this month.

Speaking yesterday, Mrs Hill said: “If Winnie can do it, then so can I.”

Now the pair are being joined for this year’s event by ten staff and helpers from their residential home in Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Team Winnie will have an 87- year age range, with 15-year-old Emily Anderson taking part as the youngest member of the Millings Residential Home contingent.

Like many of those taking part in the Race For Life, Mrs Hudson’s family has been touched by breast cancer, as her daughter survived it.

Recalling last year’s achievement, Mrs Hudson said: ‘‘I was so pleased I was able to complete the Race for Life.

‘‘When I got back, everyone here was so proud of me, especially my daughter Christine.

‘‘The whole of Bedale had got behind me too, helping me raise £1,000 in sponsorship for Cancer Research UK.

‘‘I still keep my medal in my handbag and look forward to getting another one this year.

‘‘I hope Margaret and I can now inspire all those younger women to join us at Race for Life. If we can do it, no one has an excuse not to.’’ Sandra Anderson, the home’s manager, said: ‘‘Myself and other staff from The Millings had already taken part in Race for Life a few times before.

‘‘Then, last year, after Winnie had enjoyed doing some walking for exercise, we almost jokingly said that she ought to join us in our team.

“But she said ‘why not?’. And as her 66-year-old daughter, Christine, has survived breast cancer, Winnie thought it was a great cause too.”

Mrs Hudson managed to complete the 5km course in pouring rain with a little help from her team-mates – and her wheelchair.

She even had organisers bring her a hot cup of tea at the halfway point, Mrs Anderson said.

More than 700,000 women have signed up for the 230-plus Race for Life events in 2009.

Race For Life started in 1994 and organisers say it is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series. Four million women across the UK have now taken part, raising more than £240m.

Women of all ages and abilities join together to walk, jog or run 5k and raise money to help beat cancer.

The York event is at the city’s racecourse on Sunday week, June 28.

■ For details about how to sign up for York and for other Race for Life events, call 0870- 641-2282 or visit raceforlife.org