THOUSANDS of charity runners braved wind, rain and extreme heat to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to help beat cancer.

This year’s Race for Life saw more than 2,500 ladies take on the challenging cross-country course at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester.

The green fields of the agricultural college were transformed into a sea of pink as everyone from young to old dressed up in bright pink, head boppers, leg warmers and tutu’s to run, jog or walk the 5km track.

The sun shone for the beginning and end of the morning race but the grey clouds gathered for 15 minutes of showers, but that couldn’t dampen the spirits of the runners.

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes was on hand to start the race and cheer everyone on. He said that watching the race always made him feel very emotional.

He said: “The atmosphere is so inspiring. The women get so much from it too. Cancer steals from everyone and this gives back to them. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Event organiser Rachel White said that this was the first year they had run two races.

She said: “We are hoping to raise £290,000 for the day, so we really need everyone to get their sponsorship in as soon as possible.”

She added: “I find it humbling the amazing things people do in aid of a fantastic cause. The atmosphere was electric and it was great to see people making a difference, it’s inspirational.”

A group of ladies from the Sun Inn in Lower Burton ran the race three-legged in pairs. They said they hadn’t practised running in their pairs beforehand but had a great time.

Lucy Fenwick, 40, said: “Everybody’s got their own personal reasons for running the race, but we are just hoping to raise serious money. We have raised nearly £1,000.”

The Moonfleet Ladies Bowling team had the oldest person taking on the challenge. Hilda Soakes is 85. Team organiser Chris Thompson, 63, said: “We had 13 members taking part and we all crossed the line together. We are hoping to raise about £1,000 between us all.”

She added: “Some of us have been affected and we have lost bowlers to cancer, so it’s for them.”

The fastest runner finished the race in 21 minutes. Janet Fry, who is 50 this year, ran the race for her friend whose mum had lung cancer. She said: “I’m happy with the time. I didn’t think I’d have any chance of winning.”

One Portland family dressed up in bright pink fluorescent afro-style wigs.

Mum Claire Bool, 46, said: “It was a really good day, the atmosphere was lovely.”

The group raised £300 for Cancer Research.