The weekend may have got off to a rainy start but that didn't stop huge crowds making their way to the Cancer Research UK Race For Life.

As thousands of women lined up, the clouds parted and they were off, running the 5km course around Stanmer Park in Brighton.

Ruth Lumley reports.

More than 7,500 runners did their bit for charity over the weekend by taking part in the Race For Life.

This year the route around Stanmer Park had been changed, which brought a mixed reaction from the participants.

Mother and daughter team Lindsey Delow, 60, and Abigail Storey, 29, said they both preferred the new route, while others said they found the race harder than in previous years.

Mrs Delow, from Rottingdean, said: "This is the third time we have run. The first time I ran, someone asked me to sponsor them and I thought, No, I'm going to do it myself,' and then I encouraged Abigail to come with me.

"We have both running in memory of special people. Abigail lost a good friend at 24. We tend to run together with the dog - but the dog usually wins.

"I liked the course today. It's much better. Using the paths means there aren't so many rabbit holes and uneven bits.

"There is a big hill a third of the way round the route but it's much better than last year and it was lovely running through the trees."

The donation station raised £10,000 for Cancer Research UK on Saturday and organiser Carly Gibbs hoped it would raise the same amount on Sunday.

She said: "There has been a fantastic atmosphere on both days and everyone has pulled their weight. We had almost 3,500 runners on Saturday and we have 4,000 today. It's going really well.

"We are hoping to raise £560,000 during the weekend, which will all be spent where it's needed."

Jenny Bliss, 21, ran the race for the third consecutive year and was one of the first to finish the course in only 21 minutes and 20 seconds.

She said: "My granddad had cancer when I was little so I'm running this race for my gran. That's what I think about when I go round.

"I found the course harder than usual but I am pleased with my time. I don't know if I beat my time last year - because it was so rainy last year that I just ran the race and went straight home."

Dominque Turner, 23, from Saltdean, ran with her sister Holly, 12.

She said: "We were running for everybody we know who has ever suffered with or died from cancer.

"It's for the people who are suffering with it at the moment and for those who have survived it. We took part for the experience and because we wanted to raise money for a good cause.

"There were lots of hills and a lot of mud on the route, but we managed to get close to the front so we were lucky to have a bit of space to run in."

Lynsey Campbell, 29, from Horley, said: "My aunt is battling breast cancer at the moment.

"It was not a bad run but was very hilly in parts. The atmosphere is good and the weather is better than I expected.

"I ran the race with three other friends but I think they are still working their way round."

Saturday's event also saw the youngest participant in the Race For Life.

Four-year-old Chloe Upton was given a one in five chance of survival after she developed leukaemia when she was a baby.

She underwent three courses of chemotherapy and life-saving bone marrow treatment and has now been given the all-clear.

On Saturday, Chloe wore her best blue princess dress and stepped out with her mother Jenette, 30, from Bevendean, Brighton, for the race. They raised £100 for charity.

Mrs Upton said: "Chloe really enjoyed it and went the whole way round by herself.

"I did not have to pick her up or carry her.

"She did the course in one hour and 17 minutes and sprinted to the finish line with her aunt and myself.

"She is chuffed she got her medal. We thought they had run out but one of the organisers saved one for her. She is going to take it into school to show her friends.

"I am very proud of her. There were tears all round in the family.

"She has taken part in two of these races, one after she survived leukaemia and the second on Saturday.

"We are taking her out for dinner to celebrate."

To see Ruth's video report of the event, click here.

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