HUNDREDS of women and girls were in the pink as a charity summer race series came to an end today (Sunday July 27).

Hundreds of pink-clad runners took part in the region’s final Race for Life event of the year, starting and finishing on the St Leonard’s RC School playing field, off Framwelgate Peth, in Durham.

The ranks of eager runners, all raising money for Cancer Research UK, limbered up in a mass choreographed pre-race warm-up before the starting gun sounded at 11am.

They then set out on a colourful five kilometre course, taking participants on a tour of the Aykley Heads, passing familiar landmarks of County Hall and Durham Constabulary headquarters, plus the extensive surrounding playing fields and parkland.

First runners completed the all terrain course in under 20 minutes, but many others took a more sedentary pace, all determined, however, to complete the course.

The run, in largely sunny conditions, brought a close to the two-month regional programme of Race for Life events, including Pretty Muddy obstacle course challenges to more traditional 5k and 10k races at a range of venues, including South Park in Darlington, Ormesby Hall, in Middlesbrough, Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, Saltwell Park, in Gateshead, and High Gosforth Park Racecourse, in Newcastle.

They were among the 300-plus events nationwide raising much-needed funds for the world’s largest cancer charity.

Anna Thompson, Cancer Research UK’s North-East events manager, thanked all those who took part, fast and slow alike.

She said: “Race for Life events are not competitive.

“They are not about being fit, or fast. Instead they’re an amazing way to celebrate life, but also to remember those who have been lost to the disease.”

Early entries are already being taken for next year’s events, with details available via www.raceforlife.org, or by calling 0845-600 6050.