Emotions high as 1000s join race

Memories of loved ones lost to cancer made for an emotional day in Sandwell Valley as thousands of women took part in the Race for Life.

Mothers, grandmothers, friends and workmates were among the 4,700 people of all ages who completed 5km course through the country park in the scorching sun, which raised nearly £300,000 for the charity.

And while some walked, some donned pink themed fancy dress costumes and many wore messages to for family members and friends who have battled the disease, others laced up their running shoes to jog the course.

Runners were split up into two races due to the demand with one race for 3,600 people taking place in the morning, with the remainder of the entrants completing the circuit in the afternoon. 

The morning race was won by Cradley woman Paula Southwick, aged 38, who crossed the finishing line after about 21 minutes. Paula, from Chapelhouse Lane, is a WeightWatchers leader in the area and she said it was an emotional moment after shedding nearly five stones.

“I used to weight about 14 stones and now I’m nine and a half. That’s why it was so emotional as a couple of years ago I couldn’t have even have dreamed of this. “When I finished I stood there and just watched people coming over the finish line. It was really emotional with women of all ages, shapes and sizes.” 

Hill Top mother-to-be Lynsey Foster walked the course with her college Ellen Jones, from the Pentwyn Dental Surgery in Hill Top. They were running in memory of dental nurse Sue Bradley, who died of cancer of the lymp nodes in April.

“Everyone was clapping which spurred us on to get through,” said 19-year-old Ellen.

“There were a lot of people in pink, a few angels and nurses outfits, it was brilliant.”

Laura Kavaney, for Cancer Research, said the event had raised nearly £300,000.

“There was a wide age range from young girls doing it with their mums, grandmothers as well as whole families,” she said.