A CHARITY fun run in aid of the fight against cancer was held in sunshine yesterday, with 3,400 women taking part.

Cancer Research UK held the latest in its series of North-East Race for Life events in the Aykley Heads area of Durham.

The organisers devised a 5km route that took in some of the city’s finest scenery, including the grounds of County Hall and the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery.

Two sessions of the race were held, 2,700 participants lining up in the morning and a further 700 stepping out at lunchtime.

Women of all ages took part, many of them opting to walk the course rather than run.

Organiser Helen Tibbott was delighted by the response.

She said the event passed without a hitch and the blue skies and warmth added to the occasion.

“It went really well and everybody really enjoyed themselves on the day,” she said.

“We had one or two comments about the route, people saying how scenic it was and how attractive it was.

“There was a brilliant atmosphere – people said it was so nice – and the weather could not have been better.

“We are very pleased because it is the biggest turnout we have had this year and it all went so smoothly.

“The fastest runners completed the course in 21 minutes in the morning and 22 minutes in the afternoon.”

The charity hopes that when all the sponsorship is added up, Sunday’s event will have netted £315,000 for its work battling the killer disease.

Among the women taking part was a team of 20 from the head office at Meadowfield of transport and energy firm The Banks Group, who trained in their lunchtimes.