Caroline John, from Aberaeron, won Race for Life in Aberystwyth

In three years, numbers competing in the town's leg of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life have trebled.

The event attracted 1,200 female runners to the Promenade on Sunday and it is expected they will raise �84,000.

Cancer Research said an alternative start line would enable more people to take part.

The course, which is just over three miles, currently starts and finishes on the Promenade.

"People were stopped from entering the race a month before the date, because we wouldn't have been able to cope with the numbers," said Race Organiser Nic Clarke.

The race has a community feel Nic Clarke, Race for Life

"All that's restricting us is the space and although the Promenade is a great place to stage it we are considering starting the race somewhere else".

The race will continue to finish on the Promenade.

Mr Clarke added that he was "immensely proud" of the runners.

"Last year runners in Aberystwyth had the best percentage returns in the UK. The race has a community feel and this year we're hoping the runners will raise �84,000."

Despite runners' success in handing over money in Aberystwyth, Race for Life organisers have urged participants across the UK to collect sponsorship, after 40% of runners failed to return any money last year.

ABERYSTWYTH'S RACE FOR LIFE 2002: 400 runners raise �29,000 2003: 700 take part and raise �49,000 2004: 1,000 raise �68,000 2005: 1,200 race for life and expect to raise �84,000

In 2004, thousands of runners up and down the UK had to be turned away because capacity for races was full, but only 60% of runners actually sent in money afterwards.

Eight Race for Life events are being held in Wales, with two in Cardiff.

Race for Life raised �21m across the UK last year, �950,000 in Wales.

In the 11 years since it began, 1.4 million women have taken part, raising �70m.