And a great run
MORE than 800 women touched by cancer in some way donned pink on Sunday and completed the Race for Life in Southport’s Princes Park.
Runners in the Cancer Research UK event set off at 10am, when the starting horn was sounded by two inspirational local women.
Rachael Macfarlane, 24, from Burscough, was invited on stage to talk about her treatment for a brain tumour which she has had since she was 13.
And Southport Visiter Family Life columnist Nicola Kenyon spoke poignantly of losing her mum, Sue, to cancer. Former Southport Visiter editor Sue Kenyon died in 2001, aged 53.
Women and girls of all ages and abilities completed 5k and 10k courses in this year’s run – organised in partnership with Tesco – hoping to raise enough money to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
The Southport course started off in Princes Park with a mixture of paths and grass, then headed out to Marine Drive, alongside Southport Beach.
It took the scenic route around the Marine Lake and through King’s Gardens, finishing back at Princes Park.
Lauren Grime, 20, ran for her friend, Hannah Lyson, who recently received the devastating news that she had a tumour in her bowel and secondary cancer of the liver. Refusing to be defeated by her diagnosis, Hannah turned her travel blog into an online diary, documenting her fight against cancer.
Lauren said: “It took me 44 minutes to complete my 5K - which is more than I was aiming for, but pretty impressive given I have conjunctivitis and tonsillitis!
“I ran for Hannah; she’s an inspiration. Even while fighting her cancer she is still smiling and looking out for everyone around her.
“She is so, so strong. One of the most honest and kindest girls I know.”
Did you take part in the run? Who did you run for? Email kate.lally@ trinitymirror.com