SWELTERING heat greeted thousands of women who turned out for a massive Race for Life event in Essex.

About 6,000 runners, joggers and walkers took part in the popular five kilometre event in the picturesque grounds of Chelmsford’s Hylands House yesterday.

There were so many taking part that organisers were able to put on two races on the day – one in the morning and another in the afternoon.

The event, which raises funds for Cancer Research UK, saw a sea of pink ladies of all ages come together.

A traditional pre-race warm up got the crowd going as tunes pumped out into the air, getting all the entrants in the mood for the challenge ahead.

And there was plenty of reason for the women’s hearts to be pounding thanks to an all-male dance troupe doing their bit to motivate the entrants.

A Race for Life spokeswoman said: “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.”

With the sun glaring down, it was hot work for the runners, many of whom were pretty in pink including some in fancy dress.

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