Thousands of women put their best foot forward to beat cancer at the Brighton Race for Life today.

Women and children joined together in the sunshine and were cheered on by family members and friends at Stanmer Park.

The race started at 11am, with runners taking part in events including a 10km run, a 5km run, and others who chose to jog or walk along the 5km route.

It was part of two days of events organised by Cancer Research UK, including the runs today, along with the Pretty Muddy runs tomorrow.

On the main stage radio host and Argus reporter Lynsey Bartlett greeted the runners and helped them prepare for the big start.

Meanwhile race organiser Jess Edwards told the crowd: “Every four minutes someone loses their battle with cancer.

“We can help change this right now, we want to save more lives, make treatments kinder, and one day bring about the day when all cancers are cured.”

She said the target for the two days of events at the park was to raise more than £225,000, a target they were well on the way to meeting on Saturday, as £113,000 of funds had been declared.

As many as 3,000 women and children were expected to take part in the events across the two days in Brighton.

There were dozens of similar events taking place across the country this weekend, including in London, Bristol, and Southampton.

Jess Edwards said: “Events like this are so important as they allow us to raise more money so we can tackle the disease.

“The race really is fabulous, it brings lots of women all together, everyone really enjoyed the day.

“We get together to commemorate loved ones and lost ones, and also to celebrate life.

“Quite simply, the more money we raise, the more lives we can save. That’s the finish line we all look forward to crossing.”

At present, the survival rate for cancer is one in two, but there are more than two million people living in the UK who are survivors.

Jess Edwards also told the crowd that there are things they can do to help combat cancer, and she said that early diagnosis can often be critical.

She said that there are free bowel cancer testing kits for the over 60s which can be completed via post or via GPs.

There will be a full picture special in Monday's edition of The Argus.

To find out more visit: cancerresearchuk.org.