THOUSANDS of women and children raised about £210,000 for Cancer Research UK through York’s Race for Life.

The event started on Saturday with ‘Pretty Muddy’ races, which saw about 600 youngsters and 2,400 women tackle an obstacle course culminating with a slither down an inflatable slide and into a pool of mud.

Then came 5K and 10K races on Sunday, when the field was turned into a sea of pink as about 1,700 women raced in memory of loved ones who have died from cancer and in tribute to others who have beaten it.

Mandy Atkin, from York’s Haxby Road area, was taking part with family members including her daughter Vicky, with the sign on her back explaining her involvement: “My dad who sadly passed away and my daughter Vicky who kicked cancer’s ass!’ She said her father Derek had died seven years ago from pancreatic cancer while her daughter had beaten thyroid cancer.

York student Monica Beven, 20, said she was running for the ‘strongest, most inspirational woman’- her boyfriend’s mother Justine Bilton - who had recently been successfully treated for breast cancer.

Sixteen runners from the Bridlington area were taking part in memory of Phil Blakeston, a plumbing and heating engineer from the town, who died of cancer last December, aged 50.

Before the race, York mum-of-four Tracie Gledhill, who is living with breast cancer received a huge cheer as she addressed runners, urging them to check their bodies for signs of cancer.

GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM YORK PRETTY MUDDY 2018

GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM YORK RACE FOR LIFE 2018

Tracie, of Clifton, said: ”It’s well known that if cancer is diagnosed sooner, the treatments are less invasive and more successful. We can help that by checking our bodies and being aware of our bodies, and picking up any changes and getting them seen to sooner.”

Organisers said the 5K was won by James, 12, ‘running for Elliot,’ while Monika, 27, running for ‘everyone struggling with cancer,’ won the 10K.