THOUSANDS of women were in the pink as they united to help the battle against cancer in one of Basingstoke’s biggest annual events.

It was a fun, sociable and moving day for more than 3,000 females – mothers, grandmothers and children, as well as friends and colleagues, who took part in this year’s 5km Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK, on June 20.

Among runners and walkers were cancer survivors, others who are still fighting the disease and hundreds running in memory of loved ones lost.

Heart FM’s Lucy Ellis rallied the crowds as the first three runners home crossed the finish line at Down Grange Sports Complex, in Pack Lane, Basingstoke – all members of the Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club.

Charlotte Shalwin, 14, broke the ribbon after 17 minutes and 37 seconds, followed soon after by Georgina Neame and Rebecca Sleap, both 21, in third place.

But this event was, as ever, all about taking part rather than winning.

Sarah Afentakis, 35, who was given the all-clear last month after fighting off ovarian cancer, walked the course joined by a gaggle of friends, family and neighbours.

The mum-of-three, from Barley View, North Waltham, said: “Everyone was so supportive and it was really emotional reading the messages on people’s backs.

“We were chatting all the way around so we got to exercise our jaws a lot. It was very sociable!”

It was a poignant day for Carlie Cohen, 35, who lost her father to cancer in February, and ran with her six-year-old daughter Amelie, friend Sarah Carter and Sarah’s daughter Rebecca, 10.

Carlie, of Ivar Gardens, Lychpit, Basingstoke, said: “It’s Father’s Day, so I’m running for my dad and for everyone who is still fighting cancer.”

It was also an emotional event for Mary Wilson, 44, of Cornish Close, South Ham, Basingstoke, who pulled on her trainers and ran with her 18-year-old daughter Toni in memory of her other daughter Kelly Brown, who lost her battle against breast cancer last Boxing Day at the age of just 24.

Mary said: “She was here last year cheering us on, but not this time, so it’s very poignant for us.”

Groups of friends and work colleagues turned out to take part in the event, including a team from Basing Care, in Kimbell Road, Basingstoke.

Caroline Coleman, 45, director of Basing Care, which provides home and live-in care, said: “We lost one of our directors, Trisha Conlon, who was also my mum, to cancer.”

She added that most of the team have been affected by cancer and that many of the people they care for have the disease.

Organisers hope to raise over £230,000 through the Basingstoke 5km event. Rachel White, regional Race for Life manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “The atmosphere was electric and there’s been some fab fancy dress.

“We did have a target of 4,000 entries so we hope to get our numbers up for next year, but I want to say a massive thank-you to all the volunteers who have helped put on the event. It wouldn’t have happened without them.”

More information about the charity, which works to develop better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, is available at raceforlife.org. and cancerresearch.org.