Hundreds of women and children put their bodies on the line to raise money for cancer research by taking part in the annual Race for Life – held at Stevenage’s Fairlands Valley Park yesterday for the 10th time.

Around 1,600 mums, grans, daughters, sisters, aunts, workmates and friends turned the park into a sea of pink with one mission in mind – to beat cancer sooner.

Organisers of the 5km and 10km events have this morning sent a heartfelt message of thanks to everyone who took part and all their supporters.

And they’re asking them to make every step count by paying in their sponsorship money as soon as possible so that it can be used to fund pioneering research.

This year, the charity hopes the event will collectively raise an incredible £105,000 for Cancer Research UK. This means since the event started in 2007, Stevenage Race for Life will have raised around £1.7 million.

Courtney Culverhouse, Race for Life event manager in Hertfordshire, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life, and their supporters, as well as our heroic volunteers.

“A special thank you to the Stevenage Army Cadets, Fairlands Valley Spartans, the Bedfordshire,

Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Land Rover Club and Hertfordshire 4x4 Response!

“It was a fantastic day, full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as thousands of women joined forces to conquer cancer.”

Runners are asked to remember race fees only cover the cost of the event and it is the sponsorship money raised that contributes towards research.

For information on returning sponsorship money, or to make a donation, visit www.raceforlife.org.