BOURNEMOUTH seafront was turned pink as runners, walkers and wheelers took to the promenade in the Race for Life.

More than 1,700 people took on a 5k or 10k route along the coast in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The annual event has raised more than £100,000 for the charity so far, as people took part to support friends, family and other loved ones.

The event got underway with a warmup at the pier, before the races began shortly after 10am on Sunday, June 16.

The races were started by the charity’s VIP guest, 15-year-old Georgia Phillpot, a leukaemia survivor, who fired the starting klaxon alongside her mum, Jo.

(Image: Cancer Research)

Mina and Madison Peroni were running for their family for a cause ‘close to our hearts’.

“We’ve done the race for a few years on and off,” Mina said.

“[We’ve got] a big family history of cancer, myself, my mum, we’ve just lost my mother-in-law recently. So, a cause close to our hearts really and we did it together.

“We got there, we’re not really runners but it’s always a lovely environment, really supportive and we enjoy it.”

(Image: Newsquest)

Hannah and Tom Lee were running to remember Hannah’s best friend’s son, who sadly passed away of cancer at the age of 15.

Hannah said the day was ‘hot but amazing’.

“A lot of people together today, a really good day,” she said.

 

Tom added that running the event ‘means a lot’ to Hannah’s friend.

(Image: Newsquest)

Lyn Hobbs and Jennie O’Mallo were taking part to remember their friend Annie, who died of cancer recently.

“It’s a good cause, the more money you raise, hopefully it helps us, our kids and our grandchildren,” Jennie said. “It’s great fun, so everybody should do it.”

Lyn added: “It keeps us fit and it’s a really good community.”

(Image: Newsquest)

This event followed Poole’s Race for Life at the start of June, which saw more than £120,000 raised by more than 2,000 people taking part.

For more information and to donate, visit the Cancer Research UK Race for Life website.