Organisers revealed the incredible sum as registration opened for this year's event.

Women who took part in last year's race raised more than £80,000, taking the total since its launch in 2006 to £1,049,369.55.

Almost 2,000 runners took to the 5k course around the grounds of the stately home, between Fakenham and King's Lynn, on an evening in July.

Organiser Gemma Turpin said: 'This is a tremendous achievement, it's an incredible amount of money, the ladies keep coming out, we've had 2,000 - 2,500 every year, the numbers haven't fallen and it's such a beautiful setting.

'Race for Life is an amazing way to celebrate everyone we love who has survived cancer. It's also an emotional and moving way to pay tribute to those dear to us whose lives have been cut short by the disease.' Organisers hope 2,000 women and girls will take part in this year's event and raise more than £85,000. While it is known as the King's Lynn Race for Life, the event attracts women of all ages from across Norfolk to Houghton.

Mrs Turpin added: 'Our participants make Race for Life a truly uplifting, inspiring experience. That's why we're calling on women of all ages to sign up now to the event and pledge to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, on the front line against cancer.

'Signing up to take part in Race for Life is a great way for women to commit to get a little more active.

Taking part is not about being fit or fast and participants can choose to walk, jog, or run around the course. The atmosphere is incredibly supportive.

'Pledging to take part, alongside thousands of like minded women, is a great motivation to get fitter.'

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s.

Cancer Research UK hopes money raised from the Race for Life will help help beat cancer sooner by funding life-saving research.

Money raised through Race for Life allows its doctors, nurses and scientists to advance life-saving research.

This year's event at Houghton is being held on Tuesday, July 19. Women who sign up in January can benefit from a £10.00 discount. To enter click here.