ABOUT 1,500 women dressed in pink today to raise an estimated £123,000 for a cancer research charity’s ‘Race For Life’.

They flocked to The Rye in High Wycombe for the two-lap, five kilometre run for Cancer Research UK.

Many pinned cards to their backs to say who they were running in memory of while others wore t-shirts bearing photographs of lost loved ones.

They observed a minute's silence for those who had lost their battle with the disease - but also a minute of celebratory clapping and cheering for those who had won.

First across the line were Sarah Rees, 22 and Milo Gillot, 12, after about 24 minutes.

Sarah said, a teaching assistant, said: “I feel tired but it feels great. It is just a good event – it is not about winning.”

The Bourne End resident said the loss of a school friend and her great uncle spurred her on.

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Milo, from High Wycombe, only chose to enter the race this morning for an 80-year-old family friend who is battling cancer. He said: “It feels great.”

Bucks Free Press: race life wycombe crowd

Tina O’Brien, of South View, Downley was inspired to take part after seeing mum Sheila Busby, now 66, beat lung cancer and after losing a friend.

She said: “It is a fantastic day, it is great to see people doing their best for others.

Jane Nicholls, of Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch, ran for her mother-in-law Tina Nicholls, who passed away from lung cancer aged 54.

The 39-year-old said: “It is a lovely day, it is so good to see all these people and who they are running for.”

Andrea Walker, 47, lost her mother Sheila Fletcher to ovarian cancer aged 56 and has watched dad Robert, 79, beat bowel cancer.

The Stoke Poges resident said: “It was very emotional, especially people who have pictures of people on their shirts.

Bucks Free Press: race life wycombe Kirsty Thathapudi, Carla Robertson and Parveen Haynes were amongst the runners.

“I really enjoyed it, it has been a fantastic race.”

A dyed pink bulldog, colourful wigs and even three Pink Panthers joined in the fun, set to continue at 3pm again today.

Gemma Sulston, 31, Lucy Robertson, 31 and Louise Ashby, 27 donned the Pink Panther costumes.

The three, who work at Maven Research in Aveling Road, High Wycombe hoped to raise £500.

Gemma and Lucy lost their mothers to the disease while Louise is undergoing tests because there is a history of cancer in her family.

Lucy said: “It is emotional but fun.”

Parveen Haynes, 34, of Elmtree Green, Great Missenden took part after seeing a family friend battle cancer.

The legal administrator said: “I have not experienced it before. It is quite daunting – she is virtually the same age as us, she has children the same age. It has been very harrowing.”

Kirsty Thathapudi, 35, from Wright’s Lane, Prestwood, lost grandmother Brenda Cookwell and uncle Malcolm Pitt to the disease.

She said: “It is good to be raising money to help people.”

Visit our website tomorrow for a video of the event and an online gallery. Photographs will be available to order.