WOMEN were in the pink as they donned their running shoes, t-shirts and shorts for a now familiar diary date.

More than 1,000 female foot-sloggers gave it their all, tackling a five-kilometre course round St Leonard’s School playing field in the annual Durham Race for Life event.

Many ran, some jogged and others slowed to a walk completing the course, in sunny, but blustery conditions.

Among them was event veteran Lucy Thexton, from Carrville, Durham,who has taken part in every Race for Life in the city.

The ‘community champion’ at the Tesco Extra store in Gilesgate, Durham, cajoled almost 40 colleagues to take part, in support of event charity, Cancer Research UK.

Such was the show of force from the store that a coach was hired, with the atmosphere bright and bubbly among all runners and spectators.

But she said all have known someone affected by the disease, in her case her late grandmother, whose death from cancer inspired her to take part from the age of 11.

Lisa Millett, the charity’s regional spokesperson, said the efforts of participants in Durham and the other Race for Life events round the North-East provides “crucial support” to fund “life-saving research”, helping to offer improved treatment and outcomes for cancer sufferers in future.