INFLATABLE pink toys, glitter, women wearing matching t-shirts and tutus, this could be your average hen night in Darlington.

Instead it’s all in aid of cancer research with about 1,500 women completing a 5k route around Darlington’s South Park.

A few run, looking serious with sports watches attached to arms and ears plugged into music, but many seem to walk, chatting happily in the sunshine, sometimes with young children tagging along.

The back of one woman’s shirt simply says: ‘My loving dad 1950-2014, Love you xxxx’.

Everyone has a personal story to tell beginning with Emma Joyeux, a co-ordinator with Quakers Running Club, which provided 58 course marshals this year.

Mrs Joyeux, who was aged eight when she lost her mother Janice Whitworth to breast cancer, regularly volunteers and was chosen to sound the hooter and say a few words to get the race underway.

She said: "I spoke about losing my mum and also ended with a poem to inspire the runners.

"It was a great day and a great atmosphere."

Immediately beforehand participants had been put through their paces with a high-tempo workout by a fitness instructor on stage.

Nurse Bernadette Darragh was taking part along with 22 colleagues from ward 42 at Darlington Memorial Hospital and the chemotherapy unit at Bishop Auckland.

They chose to complete the race in memory of their former manager Maureen Flatman.

Mrs Flatman, 56, from Darlington, who had worked at the town’s hospital for 30 years, was diagnosed with stomach cancer last year and later died in February.

Friends came together under the team title ‘Mo’s Misfits’ – wearing matching t-shirts – and hope to raise about £3,000 for Cancer Research.

Mrs Flatman’s husband Ian was also there to provide support. Mrs Darragh said: “By doing this we are keeping her memory alive.

“We are all aware of the suffering cancer causes from treating people all the time so to lose one of our own to it is hard.

“We’d like to thank everybody who supported us, including patients who turned up on the day to cheer us on.”

Some runners were given pink flowers by friends and family when they crossed the finishing line. The event, meanwhile, is predicted to raise about £92,000 for research into cancer treatments.

Race organiser Lauren Robertson said: “The sun came out fortunately and it is always a lovely atmosphere here with a nice feel to it.

“We obviously like to thank everyone for their support, particularly those who come back year after year.”

Another race for life event took place at the same time in Gateshead’s Saltwell Park, while Middlesbrough had its turn last week.