A sea of pink descended on Bradford's Lister Park today as thousands of women of all ages donned their running and walking shoes for the Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Clowns, ballerinas, those wearing wacky headbands and others wearing shocking pink tutus, joined the race to raise cash for the cancer charity.

The event started at 10.30am and included mums pushing prams and groups of women wearing cards on their back describing why they were taking part, with more serious runners pounding the park’s pavements.

One-year-old Oliver Jackson was possibly the youngest participant with his grandmother Jacqueline Robson.

Jenny Key, event manager for Race for Life in Yorkshire, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that so many women have entered Race for Life Together, they will help us raise crucial funds to help beat cancer.”

Denise Clarke, 52, of Hastings Place, Bradford, officially opened the race but was unable to take part in the women-only event because of the side-effects of her anti-cancer medication.

Denise, who works at Provident Financial in Bradford, was first diagnosed with cancer in 2010, just after her 50th birthday.

The event hopes to raise £125,000 in sponsorship with 2,200 people taking part.

Miss Key added: “It was a really emotional day and everybody is there for the same reason. But I want to remind people to really remember to get their sponsorship in.”