MORE than 12,000 women walked, jogged or ran around Heaton Park to raise £500,000 to battle cancer.
Women from across Greater Manchester took part in two 5km races for one of the biggest women-only fundraising events in the country - Race for Life.
Coronation Street stars - including Vicky Binns, who plays Molly Dobbs - were among the competitors.
Most of the women dressed in pink and many ran in memory of lost loved ones - some with photos pinned on their backs. They were all helping to raise a record £575,000 for Cancer Research UK.
As the race was taking place on Father's Day, organisers dedicated it to all the dads and grandads lost to the disease.
Carrie Dearden, 33, wore the number one shirt and kicked off the race after beating Hodgkin's Lymphoma last year.
The NHS Bury worker, who has raised £1,000 for the charity, said: "Reading the messages on people's backs about why they were running was heartbreaking so it was a real honour to be given the number one shirt to wear.
"It feels like a milestone having done something positive to fight cancer."
Carrie was forced to postpone her wedding to her partner Matthew last July after she developed a lump on her neck which doctors diagnosed as Hodgkin's Lymphoma last March.
She had three months of chemotherapy at North Manchester General Hospital and 15 doses of radiotherapy at The Christie.
Last year 11,000 women took part in Race for Life at Heaton Park and helped raise £536,000.
Sarah Buckley, from Rochdale, who has two young children, lost her husband Mark aged 30 only months after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Sarah and her children Emily, nine, and Thomas, six, were guests of honour on Saturday - sharing their story with runners in the build up to the race.
She said: "The atmosphere was amazing. It felt so special to stand on the stage at the start of the race and look out at thousands of women. To have everyone hear about Mark is something I will never forget - it was a lovely tribute to him."
Last year Cancer Research UK invested nearly £17m on research in Manchester. Much of this funding goes to the doctors and scientists at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research in Withington.
Researchers there develop potential treatments for cancer. They are working on new treatments for bowel, stomach, pancreatic and lung cancer.
Cancer Research UK Race for Life event manager Jayne Leggat said: "Its been a fantastic day. It is one of the biggest events in the country and people have been really inspired hearing each other's stories.
"We are hoping to raise more money than last year and make a real difference."
After the race, Corrie star Vicky said: "I went on the stage at the start and they asked me if I was going to break Tyrone's heart. I had 8,000 people booing me.
"I really enjoyed the run and was pleased with my time.
"It doesn't really hit you until you see the Cancer Research montage before the race about what you're there for. And people running with pictures of loved ones. It's just a small thing to do for a great charity."
There are two more Race for Life events, one in Bolton on July 5 and in Oldham on July 19.
You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 22 and replies | View All
merlin, Manchester (22/06/2009 at 10:32)
Why can't men run for Females in their family?
If we had a men only race I am sure there would be some uproar over it.
Twistinmymellons, Mancunia (22/06/2009 at 10:49)
jgp (22/06/2009 at 11:28)
quite how you can bring up sexism in a charitable event is beyond me, these ladies did a fantastic job of raising thousands for cancer research, my wife ran in the memory of her dad and all her collegues ran in memory of some one close who they had lost. it was fantastic to be at the event as a male spectater and cheer on these ladies they where fantastic and i cant wait till next year to once again give my support.
and yes i will be running the 10k race along side my wife who i am so proud of.
Tezza, Tyldesley (22/06/2009 at 11:37)
Caped Crusader, Gotham City (22/06/2009 at 11:58)
KpestX, Droylsden (22/06/2009 at 12:45)
"We restrict entry to women due to the wishes of our participants. It is one of our most successful events because it is a unique opportunity for women to come together in a non-competitive and celebratory atmosphere.
But Race for Life has many male supporters, who help out on the day and support the participants. Men can get involved by volunteering with us. To find out more how you can volunteer at an event near you, please call our hotline on 0871 641 2272.
We also organise Run 10k, an autumn series of 10 kilometere running events which are open to men and women who want to raise money to support our vital research. For further info, please visit the Run 10k website." www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k/
So there's your opportunity to get your running shoes on, Merlin. No excuses now.
debholt, Manchester (22/06/2009 at 13:07)
Probably because, instead of sitting on her backside and whining about trivia, a WOMAN decided to do something about women AND men dying of cancer.
There's nothing to stop you creating some kind of men-only fundraising race - what's stopping you?
Nah, far easier to whine about things than do anything about them.
Tezza, Tyldesley (22/06/2009 at 14:31)
"We restrict entry to women due to the wishes of our participants.
Is that not what the BNP said about their memebership (only about their colour) and people went mad last week.
Yes well done to all who took part but why DONT they organise a men only race because men do have family that have died of cancer
Ian Marsden (22/06/2009 at 15:22)
I can't remember the last time I saw an advert on TV about cancer which did not focus on women and breast cancer- it's as if prostate cancer does not exist. Cancer Research are obviously aware of this report, as there's an article on their website about it.
I wait to see whether they actually get their collective 'finger out' and actually attempt to have a campaign focused at men.
Brian Duckworth (22/06/2009 at 20:20)
TT Rider, Rochdale (22/06/2009 at 21:34)
It appears that the significance of the race being run on Fathers day went right over the heads of Merlin and Ian Marsden.
I wonder how much they contributed to the event? and they where obviously not present on Sunday.
I was, supporting my daughter and other female members of our family who were raising money so that other families do not have to suffer the pain and anguish we had when our son-in-law died aged only 30 from this terrible disease.
Lets hope Merlin and Ian Marsden do not, in the future, need access to any advances in medical care that may become availably through the research paid for by the sponsorship.
Perhaps if they got off their a**e and put their money where their mouth is this disease will be conquered.
becca warren (23/06/2009 at 00:02)
Women only groups do have a different dynamic and there are a lot of women who would never have the confidence to take part in a mixed event who take part in this. If this is the soft start that leads them onto more exercise and healthier lives then let's celebrate it instead of condemning it. There are a multitude of events that open their doors to both sexes. Get over it and sign up for one of those.
Ian Marsden (23/06/2009 at 17:43)
However, I do think that breast cancer inparticular gets a disproportionate amount of media coverage when compared to male cancers, especially when men are more likely to do from them. As I said in my original message, I struggle to recall an advert or event which was not aimed at/ primarily focussing on women and I do think that Cancer Resarch (like other many other charities) has some work to do in this area.
TT Rider, you inparticular have a rather condescending tone (why do you have to feel 'sorry' for me?), which I think is both unnececessary and rather unpleasant. I was not aware of the event of Sunday, which is why I was not there. Either way, there is no need for you to try and take the 'moral highground'- just because you attended the Race for Life does not make you a better person than me! I suggest you reflect on your own behaviour before casting dispersions on my character.
As for any personal experience of cancer, well my Mother had breast cancer- I do not think this makes me more qualified than the next person to pass judgement, as TT Rider seems so keen to do.
Ian Marsden (23/06/2009 at 18:10)
Why weren't men allowed to race, then? Why should an event on Fathers Day be solely for women? I'm no sociologist but there does generally (not all the time, obviously) seem to be a stronger Father-Son bond than Father- Daugher...
Angie33 , Manchester (23/06/2009 at 18:50)
Ian Marsden (23/06/2009 at 19:07)
Angie33 , Manchester (23/06/2009 at 19:56)
Ian Marsden (25/06/2009 at 15:21)
Once again, my point is that there needs to more effort to raise awareness of cancers amongst men. I do not seek to denigrate the efforts of people (male or female) who raise money for charity. Rather, I want charities to put as much effort in getting across the message about prostate cancer and other male cancers as they have so successfully done for breast cancer in women. Can I be any clearer?
Angie33 , Manchester (25/06/2009 at 15:45)
citycentre, manchester (25/06/2009 at 16:08)
"Rather, I want charities to put as much effort in getting across the message about prostate cancer and other male cancers as they have so successfully done for breast cancer in women"
then get involved with one and help raise awareness. organise some events, there is no need to always wait for someone else to do something
Ian Marsden (27/06/2009 at 17:53)
I have :) I am on the mailinglist for an event called 'Mowvember' and I shall register when it opens again. In the meantime, I'll look and see if there's anything else I can do.
One person can only do so much- charities have advertising budgets, so I still think the onus is on them.
Ian Marsden (28/06/2009 at 11:11)
Actually, I have raised money for prostate cancer in the past and will continue to do so. However, one person can only do so much. It is imperative that charities realise the need to educate men and raise awareness of male cancers, after all they have substantial advertising budgets.