MORE than 14,000 women took part in Race for Life events at Heaton Park last weekend to help raise more than half a million pounds for Cancer Research UK.

On Saturday, the venue hosted Manchester's first-ever Race for Life Pretty Muddy event, a sponsored 5k obstacle course including mud, scrabble nets, hurdles and a big inflatable slide. More than 8,300 women took part, with groups of 300 participants setting off every 15 minutes following the 10am start.

On Sunday, Race for Life 5k and 10k events took place with thousands of women taking part.

Eight-year-old Joshua Johns, from Salford, who has endured more than a year in and out of hospital battling leukaemia, sounded the air horn, accompanied by his mum Nikki, to set off the runners and walkers who were drawn from across the North West.

Earlier this year, Joshua was presented with a Cancer Research UK Little Star award, a joint venture between the charity and TK Maxx, to recognise the courage of children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Joshua has also become very well-known by his postman after receiving 3,800 postcards from around the world from wellwishers.

Cancer Research UK North West spokeswoman Jane Bullock said: “The Race for Life Heaton Park events over the weekend were a tremendous success and we were very fortunate with the weather.

“We are hoping to raise almost £500,000 from Race for Life Heaton Park alone. And we would now urge all the thousands of women who took part to return their sponsorship cash as quickly as possible to make a difference in the fight against cancer.”

Race For Life is the UK's largest women-only fundraising event, sponsored by Tesco, and includes 5k, 10K and Pretty Muddy events. In total there are more than 300 events from May until September — including 36 in the North West raising funds for vital research.

To enter Race for Life’s 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events in the North West: visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0845 600 6050.