Norwich has been chosen as the first city to host a new twilight version of the popular Race for Life.

Just like its traditional sister event, Race for Life Twilight is for women-only and is non-competitive, but participants will be walking, running or jogging their way round the 5k route at the Norfolk Showground, which will be lit up.

Organisers hope the moon and the stars will put in an appearance for the special evening on Friday, October 5, but in case they do not, women are being encouraged to help create the enchanting twilight experience by bringing fairy lights, glow sticks and any sparkly accessories.

Cancer Research UK has organised just four of the new twilight events, with the others taking place over the same weekend in Southampton, Windsor and Swansea.

Gemma Turpin, Cancer Research UK's Norfolk events manager, said: 'Come on ladies – please enter Race for Life Twilight today. It's all of us versus cancer and we need you to join the fight as soon as possible.

'By holding the event in Norwich for the first time we're offering women and girls of all ages a sparkling new way to support Cancer Research UK's life-saving research. We hope our traditional Race for Life regulars will fancy a bit of 'moonlighting' and sign up for our girl's night out. And we hope to tempt back those women who might not have taken part for a while.'

Race for Life Twilight, which starts at 8pm, will raise money for Cancer Research UK's life-saving work to beat over 200 types of cancer.

Miss Turpin said: 'We want to reassure women that Race for Life Twilight isn't about being fast or fit. Instead it's a celebration of unity in our fight against all cancers.

'Light is a wonderful symbol of hope so we want to see women with fairy lights and glow sticks and as many sequined, spangly and sparkly outfits as possible.

'But behind all the fun there's a serious message. Thanks to research into cancer, hundreds of thousands of lives have already been saved. And with help from the people of Norfolk, Cancer Research UK intends to save many more.'

To join Norwich versus cancer, enter Race for Life Twilight at www.raceforlife.org/twilight or call 0871 641 1111.