Huddersfield turned pink yesterday.
Some 1,585 women turned out for Huddersfield’s 16th Race for Life event at the Leeds Road Sports Complex and raised £95,000 for Cancer Research UK by running, skipping or walking 5km.
Although the event was a ‘timed’ event the emphasis was very much on simply taking part and there were mums pushing babies in buggies while some women ‘power hooped’ their way around the course.
First over the line was Emer Dudley, 53, from Roberttown who ran it in 21 minutes and 45 seconds.
Emer, a member of Roberttown Road Runners, was followed home by Julie Newsome, 51, from Birstall in a time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds
Julie said: “My mum, Enid Newby, died recently from cancer, aged 75, so I was keen to do it. I work at Spen Valley High School and quite a few Year 10 pupils ran it too.”
Julie Settle, a 53-year-old aerobics instructor, from Heckmondwike said: “I have done Race for Life events 20 times! It’s been great and everyone seems to have thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Katie Mathers, Cancer Research UK’s Huddersfield event manager, said: “Everything seems to have gone really well today, it’s been a very emotional race.
“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are about an army of women crossing the finishing line together in the fight against cancer
“Whatever the distance every step taken around the course will help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured.”
Cancer Research UK Race for Life began in partnership with Tesco more than 15 years ago.
Its women-only series of 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Marathon events raise millions of pounds every year to fund reearch to help beat 200 types of cancer.
