A PARK was flooded with a sea of pink as thousands of women united in the fight against cancer.

Darlington’s annual Race for Life took part in South Park and saw around 2,500 women tackle the 5k route in the sunshine.

A team of trainers from Fit Lab created a party atmosphere leading a mass warm-up before the race which then saw women of all ages, shapes and sizes run, jog or walk the course.

Among the throng was 45-year-old Tracy Conley of West Gilling, North Yorkshire, who finished the race in 36 minutes.

She was running for her daughter Zabi who was diagnosed with a tumour when she was just five-years-old.

Luckily Zabi beat cancer and is now a happy 27-year-old but Ms Conley admitted it “was touch and go” after the youngster’s diagnosis.

She said: “She has gone from strength to strength.

“I’ve done the run for six or seven years and always enjoy it.

“It was very good having nice weather and it’s always a good atmosphere with all the supporters around cheering you on; it really helps.”

Running the race for the first time was 15-year-old Louise Williamson who completed it in 29minutes, 43 seconds with her mum Alyson, 50.

The pair, from Darlington, were running in memory of Louise’s uncle John and granddad Derek.

Louise said: “I enjoyed it, and you feel good afterwards.”

Alyson added: “The atmosphere was amazing; it was brilliant.”

Karen Hornsby of Darlington ran the route with her daughters Olivia, ten, and Emily seven, in memory of their uncle Harry and Nanna Dot.

She praised the event organisation and the race stewards, saying: “They were all great.

“If you felt like stopping they were really enthusiastic cheering you on.”

Dozens of Race for Life events take place across the country every summer and are a major fundraiser for Cancer Research UK.

Organisers will be hoping that this Sunday’s event tops the £130,000 raised at last year’s Darlington Race for Life.