Thousands of women turned out at Stoneleigh Park for Cancer Research’s Race for Life

[dutchman]

It was a hugely successful weekend for Cancer Research UK - with events on Saturday and Sunday expected to raise nearly £400,000 for charity



Thousands of women turned out at Stoneleigh Park over the weekend for Cancer Research UK’s annual Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events.

Now in its 12th year in Coventry the Race for Life 5k and 10k events on Sunday saw more than 2,500 women participate and race manager Emily Thompson said the charity hopes to raise a total of £195,000 from the day.

She said: “It went wonderfully well. The weather was great, which made for really nice running and walking conditions and there was a lovely atmosphere.

“The Lord Mayor of Coventry , Councillor Lindsley Harvard, addressed runners and spectators prior to the start.

“We had great support from volunteers and it was a lovely family day with people picnicking before, during and after the event too.”

Ms Thompson said that Coventry’s Race for Life event had now raised more than £1.7 million for Cancer Research UK.

She also revealed that the increasingly popular Pretty Muddy event on Saturday actually saw even more women turn out, with more than 3,500 taking part.

It is expected to raise a total of £198,000 for the charity.

“We had about 3,500 here for it yesterday - probably our biggest year yet,” said Ms Thompson.

“These sort of events are getting very popular.

“Not only is it a 5k but you also have to go over obstacles - mud pits, mud hurdles, climbing frames and more besides.”

One of the women who took part, Pindi Madahar, tweeted after the event: “Amazing morning today. Crazy turnout for the Coventry Race for Life. Awesome atmosphere.”