THEY came in their thousands, from as far as the Isle of Wight, each one in a different shade of pink and each with their own reason for running.

More than 4,000 women took part in yesterday’s Race For Life event on Knavesmire and they are estimated to have brought in about £440,000 for Cancer Research UK, to help the organisation continue its fight to stop one-in-four UK adults losing their lives to cancer.

Now, organisers have said a heart-felt “thanks” to everyone who took part in both the five-kilometre and the 10k races.

Jenny Key, Race for Life event manager for York, said: “Race for Life in York was a fantastic event and we are so very grateful to everyone who took part or supported our participants, as well as the wonderful volunteers who helped make the event happen.”

Despite early showers, the sun broke through the clouds as about 800 women approached the starting line for the 10k race, which started just after 10am.

Lucy Atkinson and Amanda Sanderson, who work for Ramsey Healthcare, ran the early race for Lucy’s father Michael, who died two years ago from cancer, and for everyone affected by the disease.

The pair, both from Acomb, ran in pink medical scrubs, and Lucy said: “We’ve not done that much preparation, but we’ve always wanted to do the Race for Life, and this one was on Father’s Day.”

Sarah Finch, 22, and Fiona Braidwood, 21, both attended university in York, and are now physiotherapists in Wakefield and Goole respectively.

Sarah, who had raised about £200 in sponsorship for the 10k race, said: “We both know people who have been affected by cancer, and we’re just aiming to get round the course.”

Amelia Platton, 12, and Hannah Mackleston, 13, were among the youngest taking part in the 10k race, running and raised more than £250 between them towards Cancer Research UK.

Amelia ran for her grandmother Audrey Mary, and Hannah ran for her granddad Raymond, and said: “We’re feeling confident, but just hoping to get round, because everyone’s been very generous.”

Also taking part in the race was Sally Smith, landlady of the Jolly Farmers in Leavening.

She and 15 of her staff were in the pink running in memory of Lynn Laughton, the owner of Clifton Farm bed and breakfast, who died from cancer in January, aged just 48.

Speaking before they set of yesterday, Sally said it would be an emotional day but one which would be worthwhile in raising funds to help beat the disease.

She said: “Lynn was a good friend and neighbour of ours and her untimely death came as a great shock. I’m sure Lynn would think we were all mad to be taking part in the run.”

Also running yesterday were the four daughters and five granddaughters of York man John McIntyre, 70, who died three years ago.

His daughter, Fiona Petch, said: “We thought about it last year but it was still a bit too soon. We were all devastated when he died, particularly due to the nature of the illness. Now we think it is time for us to do something as a family.

“Other members of the family will be there to support us. I think we will be very emotional when we finish it. We have agreed that we are going to stick together so we can finish at the same time.”

Three generations of a Selby family were also running in the 10k race, with Liz Hudson, her daughter and granddaughter Joyce and Emma Dodds running with relatives Linda Cotton and Natalie Brownbridge.

The party of five, from Bubwith, Barlby and South Duffield, ran for relatives who had died of cancer, and had raised a total of about £800 towards the charity.

According to Cancer Research UK, about 75 people each day are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire and the Humber.

However, the charity said cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and that all the runners on Knavesmire yesterday had helped to continue vital research.

The number of people surviving cancer is increasing. In the 1960s, fewer than three out of ten children diagnosed with cancer were successfully treated. Now, it’s more than seven out of ten. Today, more than 95 per cent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured and more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before.

Jenny Key added: “Now the big day is over, we are asking our supporters to take one last step – by returning the money they have raised so that we can go on funding much needed research.

“Despite improvements in treatment, we still have a long way to go. One in four people in the UK will die from cancer. With the help of people in York we want to change that.”

Another family taking part in the race were Vicky Fenwick, her five sisters, and her daughter, Molly-May.

Vicky, 35, is currently in remission after she was treated for cancer three years ago, but she was running with Molly-May, Chrissy Langan, Sarah Archdale, and Laura, Katie and Alisha Atkin, in memory of their grandfather Derek, who died of the disease.

Vicky said: “Like most families, we have been touched by cancer, but this year it’s all come together, and we are all old enough and healthy enough to do it.

“Our dad said how lovely it would be to see all six of his healthy girls finish together, so we’re doing it for him as well, as a happy Father’s Day present.”