Girl power races into town

Many of them crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, summing up the togetherness and sense of sisterhood the Race For Life embodies.
Blackpool Race for Life 2016.
Finishing together. PIC BY ROB LOCK
6-7-2016Blackpool Race for Life 2016.
Finishing together. PIC BY ROB LOCK
6-7-2016
Blackpool Race for Life 2016. Finishing together. PIC BY ROB LOCK 6-7-2016

This year’s Blackpool event is thought to have raised around £140,000 – and saw 2,300 women and children run and walk their way around the 5k and 10k routes along the Promenade, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The women-only Race For Life is part of a series of events held across the country in aid of the charity – and a Race For Life Pretty Muddy event will take place in September in Lawson’s Field.

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This year, the starter horn was officially sounded by Blackpool cadets to get runners on their way from the Comedy Carpet.

Warrant Officer Jodie Hodge paid tribute to Flight Lieutenant Phil Massey, of 177 Blackpool Airport Squadron, who died in May, after a short battle with liver cancer.

Lieutenant Massey, who was 63, had worked at BAE Warton before taking early retirement, and served 50 years in the Air Cadets as a cadet and then adult member of staff. He had been volunteering with his squadron at the Blackpool Race For Life for more than 10 years.

Blackpool Race For Life organiser Laura Taylor told those taking part she was grateful for the support the event received from Blackpool year after year.

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“On behalf of Cancer Research UK I would like to thank everyone taking part, those volunteering and those who gave sponsorship.

“I have seen, as so many have, the devastation cancer can cause. And I want to say a personal thank you from myself and my family.

“We hear the words ‘making a difference’ said so often. But that’s exactly what everybody taking part in Race For Life is doing.”

After a minute’s silence and a warm-up led by Wendy Barratt of Wendy Holland’s Fitness, Thornton, the Promenade was transformed into a sea of pink as the women set off.