Thousands take part in popular charity event for Cancer Research UK.

THE weather may have been overcast but it did not stop thousands of women looking “pretty in pink” as they took part in a Race for Life event.

About 2,000 runners, joggers and walkers took part in the popular 5k event at Great Notley Country Park, near Braintree, raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Yesterday’s event saw a sea of pink swarming around the park’s visitors centre.

As usual the pre-race warm up got the crowd going as dance tunes pumped out into the air, getting all the entrants in the mood for the challenge which lay ahead.

Lucy Hynes, the Braintree event manager, said: “Race for Life is not a competitive event.

“It’s about women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels coming together to share amazing moments and help beat cancer.

“They walk, jog or run the 5km course and revel in Race for Life’s unique atmosphere of sisterhood.”

Some take part as a celebration of surviving a cancer experience whilst for others it is in memory of a loved one or simply some in the hope that they can help towards a cancer-free future.

“Each year Race for Life is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series where all the money raised goes to fund Cancer Research UK’s work.

“The event is getting more and more popular and we are seeing women of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes take part,” Miss Hynes added.

Although the sun refused to shine, spirits were high among those taking part with many wearing pink outfits or fancy dress.

The Race for Life events started in 1994 and since then more than 4million women have raised more than �370million for Cancer Research UK.