RUNNERS pledged to win the fight against cancer, as they tackled a muddy course across Lydiard Park.

By the end of the day almost 2,500 runners are expected to have completed the Pretty Muddy 5k race.

Dressed in pink tutus, runners warmed up under blue skies and sprinted to the finish after slipping down a mud slide.

Among the runners were 50 women from Hindu Muddy Buddies. The group hopes to raise £10,000 for cancer research. It follows the third breast cancer diagnosis for friend Kalpana Tanna.

Kalpana, a 53-year-old pharmacist who moved to North London from Swindon last year, told a crowd of 300 joggers warming up for the 10.30am race: “It’s people like you who give me hope and wish to carry on with the treatment.

“You’re all doing a wonderful, wonderful job. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Friends Tracy Doole, Lisa Hawkins and Terri-Anne Evans, were running for mutual friend Belle.

Lisa, 43, from Pinehurst, said: “Our best friend has got liver cancer. We’re running for Team Belle.”

Tracy, 40, also from Pinehurst, added: “She’s the craziest Scottish lady that you will ever meet in your life. Even though she’s going through this, she’s laughing. She’s one of those who laughs in the face of adversity.”

Swindon Advertiser:

Tracy, Lisa and Terri-Anne.

Andy Millin, merchandising manager, has been supporting the Race for Life events for 18 year: “There’s been a massive change. The first year it was pretty much turn up with a few marshalls and a little PA system. Nothing like this.

“I like the atmosphere. It’s the only event I know of that has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everybody.”

Rachel Watts, 36, from Bromsgrove, was dressed as a unicorn with seven-year-old Lily Owen: “We dressed as unicorns in memory of Lily’s mum and nan. They believed in unicorns.”

Special constable Steve Procter was one of half a dozen officers at the event. Sporting a pink Cancer Research UK tutu, he said he was enjoying the chance to talk to the community: “The best thing is the community interaction, meeting people and speaking to people from all over.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is at Lydiard Park on Sunday, May 20.