Video: A sea of pink as 1,300 take on the Wakefield Race for Life

A sea of pink swarmed Thornes Park as Calendar news presenter Christine Talbot started the race on Sunday morning.

Around 1,300 women and girls took part in the event, which this year included both 5K and 10K routes.

Race for Life event manager Katie Mathers said: “It was a lovely morning with gorgeous weather and a fantastic atmosphere.

“We had lots of teams taking part this year, including several from local schools.

“It was great to see young and old taking part - people who were doing it for somebody else, people currently going through treatment and those who have had cancer in the past.

“The Wakefield Race for Life always has a nice vibe about it and there was a lovely spirit in the air, with ladies determined to do their bit to help beat cancer.”

Among those taking part were Julie Hawkins, 45, and her best friend Lyndsey Garrett.

The race marked a year to the day since Julie finished treatment for cancer the second time round.

Julie said: “Today has been brilliant, the atmosphere has been amazing, really enjoyable. That’s it, I’m hooked, and I’ll definitely be doing it again, every time. It has taken a long time to get over my treatment and just three months ago I would never been able to do something like this.

“But I can now and that shows just how much better I am getting. I am wearing my medal with pride, I don’t want to take it off.”

The two ladies, who are both from Normanton, tacked most of the course three-legged.

Lyndsey, 45, said: “We had a right laugh going round, holding each other up, but we made sure we ran right over the finish line. I has been really brilliant and I am so proud of Julie.”

Last year, 1,537 women in the Wakefield pulled on their trainers and helped raise 92,572.

This year, organisers are hope the runners will raise £90,000 to fund Cancer Research’s lifesaving research.

Miss Mathers added: “Now we need everybody to go the extra mile to collect and send it their sponsorship money. And if you’re feeling inspired, there are plenty more Race for Life events happening nearby soon.”

The Wakefield event kicked off this year’s Race for Life in West Yorkshire.

There is still time to sign up for events in Pontefract and Leeds.

Cancer Research UK’s Pretty Muddy challenge comes to Temple Newasam on Saturday June 4, followed by 5K and 10K Race for Life runs on Sunday June 5.

The Pontefract Race for Life takes place at the town’s racecourse on Sunday July 17.