A YOUNG athlete from Chilsworthy beat just under 2,000 other runners to win this year’s Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Plymouth, completing the 5km course in just 21 minutes.

Tilly McDowell, 14, braved the scorching temperatures at the weekend to take part in this year’s race held on Plymouth Hoe.

The youngster, who attends Callington Community College and trains with Tavistock Athletic Club, said she was pleased and proud to be running in memory of her nan, who she was named after and who died before she was born.

In total she raised £100 for Cancer Research UK and impressed many spectators by beating thousands of adults to first place.

Tilly was joined by people of all ages, who came together to remember family members they have lost, or share stories about their own battles with cancer.

The annual event kicked off at 11am on Sunday (June 18).

Achieving an average speed of 9mph, it was clear Tilly had been training very hard.

Remarkably, she had only returned to running in January after recovering from a broken collar bone.

During the race, Tilly was cheered on by friends and family, including mum and dad, Toni and Lee McDowell — who were there to congratulate her at the finish line.

‘We are so proud of Tilly’, said mum Toni.

‘It was very emotional on the day as she was running for my mum, who died of breast cancer when she was just 50.

‘Tilly put her all into the race — she was so keen to enter and even more determined to win.

‘She entered two years ago and came third, so I think that this year she really wanted to win it. It was the quickest 5km she has ever run — even with the extremely hot weather.

‘Tilly trained very hard but she absolutely loves running and never wants to miss training. We are so proud of her and all of her achievements.’

After winning the race, Tilly went home and laid in the garden to have a well-deserved rest before heading back to school on Monday.

This is the third consecutive year that a junior member of Tavistock Athletic Club has won the Race for Life in Plymouth.

The race had previously been won by Jennifer Sabine and Natasha Farrington.

Organisers of the 5k fundraiser are sending a heart-felt message of thanks to everyone who took part and all their supporters.

Amy Salmon, Cancer Research UK’s South West events manager, said: ’Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to the women of Plymouth running, jogging or walking at Race for Life.

’Our participants play a crucial role in helping to turn discoveries made in the lab into better treatments for patients in Plymouth and across the UK and we’d like to thank everyone who took part in the event on Sunday.

’The atmosphere on the day was electric - full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter - as thousands of like-minded ladies came together to unite in the fight against cancer. Now we’re asking everyone who took part, and all the friends, family and colleagues who pledged to sponsor them, to return the money they’ve raised as soon as possible. 

’Many people don’t realise that their entry fee only covers the cost of the event. It’s the sponsorship money that really makes a difference. Money raised - whether it’s £10 or £100 - will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.’