THOUSANDS of women were united in a common cause yesterday to raise vital cash for charity.

More than 3,500 completed a five-kilometre circuit of South Park, in Darlington, as they took part in the tenth Race for Life to be held in the town.

It is hoped that between them the women will raise nearly a quarter of a million pounds to fund lifesaving research into cancer.

The sun shone on the runners as they made their way through the Victorian park.

As always, the emphasis was on taking part in the race and having fun.

A wide variety of costumes and outfits were worn by the runners with just about every one of them decked out in the now-customary pink.

However, the signs on the backs of each runner, where they paid a personal tribute to loved ones they had lost to cancer, lent a poignant air to the occasion.

The first woman to cross the line in a time of 21min 5 secs was 28-year-old Sharon Darter, from Newton Aycliffe.

She was running in memory of her friend, Sarah, who died from cancer.

Ms Darter said: “With my friend passing away, I thought I’d give it a go. I thought I might come in the top 50, but I didn’t expect to win. I did it a few years ago and didn’t come first.

“I’m a fitness instructor and do a lot of sport, and I thought I wouldn’t mind taking part in competitions.”

Holly Howey, area events manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “It’s been a brilliant day – a fantastic day.

“Through this event alone, we are hoping to make £249,000, which, with all the other events in the North East, will hopefully make up the £1.3m we need to fund our researchers.”

Among the runners was seven-year-old Mia Picknell and her sister Abigail, 12, from Croft-on-Tees, near Darlington.

Abigail said: “We wanted to help raise money for charity. The run was a bit hard, but it was alright.

“I did it last year, but this is Mia’s first time.”.

Gemma Moore, from Leyburn, in North Yorkshire, did the run wearing a pink wig. She said: “You have to stand out. If you don’t dress up, you feel the odd one out.

“The atmosphere is great.

Everyone supports each other all the way along the route. It’s great fun.”