IPSWICH: A sea of pink tutus, feathers and leg warmers took over Trinity Park last night as thousands of women gathered to take part in the 5k Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research.

HUNDREDS of women gathered last night to take part in the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research.

Organisers estimated more than 1,500 women participated in the event at Trinity Park, Ipswich, to help the charity hit its �106,000 target for the town.

Sisters Sam King, 23, of St Helena, Westleton and Lucy Carter, 33, of Ransome Crescent, Ipswich, ran in memory of their grandmother, Stella King, who died of cancer two years ago.

Mrs Carter said: “We saw how much pain she suffered and how slow a death it can be, so anything we can do to make a difference is worth it.”

Miss King, who now lives in her grandmother’s old house, added: “We were surprised at how many people we know who have had cancer, so that spurred us on to do it this year. It’s surprising how many people’s lives it touches.

“We were a bit wary at first, but when you get here you just feel relaxed because there is such a broad range of different people doing it.

“When you go round you want to keep overtaking people to read the signs on their backs to see why they are running it.”

Many of the runners were sporting tributes to loved ones who were suffering from cancer.

The staff at Ivry Street Medical Practice in Ipswich also turned up to show their support for research into the disease, which affects at least one in three people in the UK at some point in their lives.

Practice nurse Liz Green, 47, of Catesbray, Capel St Mary, said: “We did it for Dr Richard Pearce. He retired 18 months ago and unfortunately he passed away last year.

“But nine of us from the surgery ran it in his honour. We all thought we would like to do something in his memory, and we’re going to do it again next year.

“I think it gives you the incentive to do it again, especially with so many people here all wearing pink, and it was great fun.”