WEARING a variety of pink clothing, 1,200 women and girls took part in the Race for Life on Sunday at Canford Park Arena.

Click here to view and purchase pictures of the event

Organiser Hannah Davies said she hoped the 5km event would raise more than £200,000.

"All the money raised is for Cancer Research UK. It's really important all the runners get it all in and Gift Aid it."

Runner Mel Page, 33, a mum of two from Bournemouth, whose youngest child is just five months old, was among the first to start.

She told the Echo: "I have lost a lot of people and managed to keep a lot of people. I wanted to do my bit."

Claire Holloway, 29, from Parkstone in Poole, took part despite being 33 weeks pregnant.

Her group wore pink cowboy hats and tiaras, butterfly wings and pink pyjamas.

Claire said: "We are running for June Vincent, my mum, who passed away with secondary breast cancer in September 2003, and auntie Hazel Atkinson, a survivor."

Radio station 2CRFM helped motivate the runners, while Wimborne Cadets and Hamworthy Harriers marshalled the entrants and manned the finishing line. Sponsor DC Leisure gave out free leisure passes to everyone taking part.

First to finish was Kitti Kovesi, from Bournemouth, in 22 minutes 18 seconds.

The 25-year-old moved from Hungary, where she was a champion runner, to England three years ago.

"I did not do any running for three years. I used to do it in about 17 minutes," she said.

Second back was Claire Dzierozynski, 28, from Bovington, after 22 minutes 18 seconds, followed by Irena Reynolds, 33.