Race For Life at Himley Hall - with video and pictures

The Race For Life saw women and children pound the grounds of Himley Hill in a 5km race yesterday.

Before the race started a warm-up drill was done before a minute's silence for runners to remember why they were taking part.

The emotions got the better of many with tears on show as runners ran from the start line.

But there was also plenty of smiles and waves from the participants who will raise well over £5,000 for Cancer Research UK from the race.

Entrants paid up to £15 to take part, but raise far more in sponsorship from friends, family and work colleagues.

And the reasons for taking part were clear.

Runners put signs on their back with names of those who have suffered or died from cancer, many said 'mom', 'nan', 'dad'.

It was also a chance for some who have won their battle with cancer to celebrate the all-clear, and pay back money to the research which has helped them.

Mother Zoe Farinha, aged 40, from Halesowen, was recently given the all-clear from bowel cancer.

She enlisted a team of six friends to take part in the race, which started at 11am.

They have raised more than £1,000.

Mrs Farinha said: "This is the end of my nightmare, and a chance to move on.

"It has been a difficult time, but I've made it thanks to the support from friends and family."

She added: "It is a great feeling to come here and be surrounded by my friends once more, raising money."

Also running as part of a team was Joanne Dennies, 47, of High Street, Wordsley.

Her husband Paul died from cancer aged 48.

Her mother, Jean Neill, 70, from Kingswinford, is currently fighting a battle with cancer.

She said: "This provides an opportunity to channel all those emotions, it also provides new friends.

"At the end of the day, we just want to raise money to stop so many people going through what we have."

The Race For Life series of races have been run by Cancer Research UK in partnership with Tesco for the past 15 years.

They raise millions of pounds every year to fund research to help beat 200 types of cancer.

The charity says one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives.

However, survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s.

Charity spokesman Jane Redman said: “Taking part in Race for Life, alongside thousands of like minded women, is incredibly motivating.

"The atmosphere at all the events is full of emotion as participants wear signs on their backs declaring their reasons for taking part.

“Race for Life events are not competitive. Whatever the distance, every step taken around the course will help bring us one step closer to the day when all cancers are cured.”

The next Race For Life event near to the Black Country is Pretty Muddy Birmingham 5k on Sunday.

It takes place at Cofton Park in Longbridge.