Wave of pink covers Pontefract Park for Race for Life

Women and children were supported by friends and family from the sidelines during the charity challenge.

It was organised to raise cash for Cancer Research UK and featured 5km and 10km race circuits.

Susan Ransome, who works at Tesco, first ran the race in 1997 to improve her fitness and raise money for a worthy cause.

She has run the race nearly every year since.

She said: “I really wanted to take part in the Race for Life, and I had set myself a challenge of running instead of walking.

“Running has really changed my life. I’ve met so many wonderful people and made lots of new friends.

“I would like to thank everyone involved with Race for Life and all the volunteers who help at the events, for sowing that little seed back in 1997 and giving me, and thousands of others, a new way of life.”

Competitors who ran at the park last year collectively raised more than £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Since taking part in Race for Life, Susan has been involved in a number of other fundraisers and marathons.

She added: “Since running the Race for Life I’ve joined a running club, and in 2006 I ran my first marathon in London.

“I think Race For Life is really important because it raises so much money for such a great cause.

“Cancer is something an awful lot of people have been affected by and the event brings everyone together - we are all there for the same reason to remember those we have lost to cancer.”

The charity works to fund new research into the causes, effects and treatments for cancer.