MORE than 1,400 women from across the county and beyond joined forces in the fight against cancer when they completed Race for Life last weekend.

Last Sunday (July 13) women of all shapes and sizes – including cancer survivors and people taking part in memory or celebration or their loved ones – united for Cancer Research's 5k event at Hereford Racecourse.

The "sea of pink" included mighty-mums, gutsy-grans, feisty friends and go-getting girls all determined to make every step count in the fight against cancer.

Michelle Leighton, Race for Life event manager for Hereford, said: “Hereford Race for Life was a massive success. I would just like to say a massive thank you to all the participants that took part on Sunday and all their families that came along to support them.

"There was a fantastic atmosphere at the event and the weather was kind. We are hoping that the participants will have raised £90,000 for Cancer Research UK.

"I would now urge participants to collect their sponsorship money and get it paid in."

Michelle added that there were plenty of pink t-shirts on show – the event's trademark outfit – along with tutus and other fancy dress costumes.

One woman who was wearing a furry Hello Kitty outfit was led around by her friends as she had limited vision through the head part of the costume.

Lindsey James came first in the event and Lydia Stratford was the runner-up.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is a women-only event.

Last year's event in Hereford saw 1,833 women take part to help raise £87,214 for Cancer Research UK.

It is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series with over 300 events around the UK from May to the end of September.

Entry into the race cost £14.99 for adults and £10 for girls under 16. That fee covers the costs of staging the event series and ensures that money raised in sponsorship can go to help beat cancer.

Since Race for Life started, 7.1 million participants across the UK have raised more than £526 million to fund Cancer Research UK’s vital work.