MORE than 5,000 women put on colourful outfits to raise money for Cancer Research UK in a 5km run around Oxford’s University Parks.

Although heavy rain fell throughout the first race on Saturday, runners on Sunday had better luck, with some sunshine breaking through.

The two fun runs are expected to raise £340,000 for Cancer Research UK through sponsorship raised by those taking part.

Many women walking, jogging or running the course took part in memory of a loved one who haddied from cancer, or for someone currently fighting the disease.

Kate McGaw, one of the event organisers for Cancer Research UK, said: “Rain or shine, nothing stops Race for Life, because many of the women running here are taking part for a specific reason.

“The weather has not been great but the atmosphere has been terrific — the women get dressed up in their T-shirts and pink tutus, which is a lot of fun and there are always some great costumes on show.

“Many women taking part wear back signs indicating who they are supporting and at the end of the race we get them to pin the signs up on a special wall — it’s very moving.”

Mae Dagre, 25, from Banbury, ran on Saturday with a group of colleagues from Pearson Education publishers.

She said: “I’m running for my grandfather Leif Tendo, who died aged 77 from cancer.”

Stephanie Rhymes, who organised the Pearson team, added: “Between us, we have raised about £2,500 for Cancer Research.

“The weather is awful but we wouldn’t let that put us off — nothing can dampen our spirits.”

Sue Cherry, 36, and Sara Coombes, 33, from Witney, wore pink wigs as part of their colourful outfits.

Miss Cherry ran in memory of her former boss, solicitor Philip Druce, who died from cancer, while Ms Coombes ran in memory of her aunt, Jean Timms, who died of leukaemia.

Miss Cherry said: “The weather is rubbish but we’re raising money for a very good cause.”

Arnjit Soomal, 39, from Marlow, near Henley, was with four friends who put on big sunglasses for the race.

She lost her mother-in-law Harbhajan Kaur Soomal, 64, to throat cancer and added: “We’re all here to support people fighting cancer, or remembering those who died from cancer.”

Arnjit’s friend Laura Henderson, 29, from Thame, added: “I lost my mother-in-law Jill Henderson to bowel cancer two weeks ago. She was 65.”

Steph Palmer, 28, and family friend Amy Maggs, 15, both from Bicester, ran yesterday dressed as fairies.

Amy said: “In 2007 I lost my grandma, Pat Maggs, to lung cancer and the following year I lost my other grandma, Maggie Larner, to ovarian cancer.

“Steph and I have raised about £500.”

Also running yesterday were Joan Truby, 84, from Bicester and her daughter-in-law, Mary and Val Truby.

Next month, for the first time, there will be a Race for Life at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury. It takes place on Sunday, July 26.

Women will have the chance to walk, jog or run 10k, or take part in the traditonal 5km run.

Oxfordshire participants are among 680,000 women from across the UK taking part in 230 fundraising events between May and July.

Organisers estimate that 7,000 women taking part in three events in the county this year could raise a total of £467,000.

Cancer Research UK hopes to raise a total of £60m nationally.