Race for Life: Women prove power of pink

HUNDREDS of pink-clad participants helped bring a touch of colour to the Lothians for Scotland’s opening Race for Life event.

The series of women-only sponsored runs, which generate funding for Cancer Research UK, kicked off with a five-kilometre event at Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, yesterday.

The fundraiser saw around 1000 women of all ages turn out to run, jog, walk and even toddle around the course.

Among the participants was Jennifer Takel, 54, who works for Fife Council and was taking part in memory of her mother, Betty Archibald.

Betty, who was brought up in South Queensferry, died of lung cancer at the age of 80.

“My mother was such a huge personality and such a big figure in South Queensferry – she was a gracious lady,” said Jennifer, who took part with family.

“This was the first time I had taken part in a Race for Life event. My niece did it last year and she inspired the rest of us. There was a little girl there who finished just behind us. She was only about 21 months old and she toddled all the way round.

“There were a lot of elderly folk there, too, and everyone had the same attitude – really upbeat. It was such a great day.

Cancer Research UK events organiser Holly Howey said: “This was our first event and it’s really great that it was so successful. A brilliant atmosphere, brilliant weather – it was a fantastic day.”

Places are still available for the future events including 10K and 5K runs to be held at Holyrood Park on Saturday, June 17.

To find out more, visit the Race for Life website at www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org .