Marking its 10th anniversary the PartnerRe 5K road race and walk — an event that proudly promotes itself as 'women helping women' ¿ yesterday continued to lead the way as the largest competitive road race event in Bermuda and one of the most significant charity fundraisers.

A record 1,100 women and girls took part in yesterday's races and it is expected they will have generated more than last year's $30,000 for the Bermuda Cancer & Health Centre's Digital Mammography Equipment Fund. Race winner Victoria Fiddick summed up the spirit of the event when she said: "It is for a great cause and if you can contribute to something, then you — and everyone — are winners."

The morning sun was still hazily obscured by high clouds as more than 1,000 competitors assembled in the Botanical Gardens for the annual event, ready to run or walk 3.1 miles along Berry Hill Road, Harbour Road, Lovers Lane, South Road and up Tee Street to loop back into the Gardens.

The 2005 champion Mrs. Fiddick was third last year. This time she led from the start to the finish in 19 minutes and 20 seconds, almost 50 seconds ahead of runner-up Kelly Larrett.

As important as the race was for those who enjoy a competitive workout, it was a major show of camaraderie by the Island's women to join together and help raise tens of thousands of dollars for a cause that will help other females.

This year's event was specifically raising funds for a digital mammography machine.

Main race sponsor PartnerRe has been involved in the women-only event since the inaugural race. The company 'matches' whatever is raised through event entry fees.

Jamie Masters, of PartnerRe, said: "Rose Jones (original event organiser) came to us with the event and said it was all about women helping women. We got involved and it has been so successful because it is women coming together to support a cause."

Race director Alison Harvey, a leading road runner herself, was too busy working behind the scenes to take part this year. However, in 2006 she was a top five finisher.

Her first time in charge of the event, she said: "I want to thank all the volunteers and sponsors. The weather conditions were perfect. We had so many walkers and family groups.

"PartnerRe are so involved and do so much. There are so many people who are willing to help. It is a great event for charity and a perfect distance for people to walk or run."

She said last year's event raised $30,000 and it was hoped this year's will raise even more on account of the record number of participants.

One of those who took part was Bermuda's international boxing champion Teresa Perozzi, who was pleased to set a personal best time of just over 25 minutes. Was she contemplating a change of sport? "I've done this race four or five times. I need to run for my boxing so I can make the right weight."

The mid-Atlantic Athletic Club organised the event. Race founder Rosemary Jones said she was delighted to see how the event continued to grow in size each year having started out with a "couple of hundred" ten years ago.