In their bid to raise thousands for Cancer Research UK, girls of all ages completed the gruelling 5k Race for Life events. Exhaustedly grasping their medals, each was proud to have honoured those touched by cancer and all those whose names and pictures were poignantly pinned to their backs.

And as the sun shone on a sea of pink-clad ladies, our Free Press team -who also donned their running shoes - caught up with some of those taking part to hear their stories.

Margaret Pringle, 63, from Carcroft lost her husband George to Leukaemia on March 27 after an eight-month battle. Running with daughter Jackie Hackworth, 39, and granddaughter Jade, 13, each wore a photo of George, who was just 66 when he died, printed on their T-shirts. To increase their support, even George's six-month-old great-granddaughter wore a t-shirt in his honour.

Said Margaret: "He knew before he passed away that we were going to do the race and he just told us to go for it, he would be proud of us."

Five members of the Murten family from Carcroft and Askern signed up to race and had raised around £500.

They were running in the memory of grandfather Colin Murten of Carcroft, who died of pancreatic cancer on January 11.

Colin, director of a joinery company, was only diagnosed seven months before he died.

Each family member wore a white t-shirt bearing his photograph.

His grand-daughter, 16-year-old Anna Humble, said that she was hoping to be the first to finish the race.

Helen Humble, Colin's eldest daughter said: "We're pleased to help everybody else with cancer, hopefully so they won't go through the same thing as us."

Karen Taylor, 37, from Mexborough was taking part in support of both her mother and her friend who have each been affected by cancer.

She said: "It's really good spirited.

"I've done it once before and will probably be doing it again.

"Next year I'll probably run for some of it and then stop to catch my breath."

Harworth friends Bev Lamb, Sharon Hipwell, Lynn Kirk, Alison Robinson, Sian Kirk and Julie Aspinall have known each other for 30 years and decided to enter together.

Sian was running in honour of friend Carol who had just stunned her three weeks earlier with a letter saying she had cancer.

She said that Carol, a bridesmaid at her wedding, would be in her thoughts as she ran.

Student Laura Jones, 21, from Wheatley Hills had already raised £70 and was wearing the name of her aunt Susan across her back.

Said Laura: "It's something that is really close to my heart and I wanted to do it for the experience and to raise money."

Friends Nicola Styring, 38, and Alison Goulding were running in memory of loved ones and for family who are now affected.

Nicola said: "I have done it for my friend who had cancer who died this year and she always did it.

"We have done a couple of rounds of it before so we are determined to do it. I also have a father-in-law and auntie who has got cancer."

Alison said: "I am doing it for my mum who died when she was 57.

Nurse Micky Delahunty, 39, said that she was doing the race as she regularly cares for people with cancer.

She was running with daughter Alex-Jane Delahunty, 11 and cousin Karina Callinan, 25.

Micky said: "We get so many people on the ward with cancer, it's such a hard hitting disease.

"Things like this make a difference because the government can't put enough money into research.

"Hopefully with more money we can find a cure, plus the Race for Life really brings people together."

Debbie Taylor, 42, a nurse from Barnsley was taking part for the first time and was raising money in support of her friends who had been affected.

She said: "I don't think I'll be running, I'll have more of a stroll round.

"I'm a nurse and work with a lot of people who have cancer so I see the affects of it day in day out. I wanted to try and raise money to eradicate it in the future."

Admin officer Chris Clark, 48, of Wheatley was running because it was a good cause.

Sales assistant Kim Sedgewick, 49, from Kirk Sandall said: "It is for charity and we have all been affected by it. At the beginning of the year my dad died so it puts it in perspective.

"I suppose I chose this because it's very well publicised."

Rita Stancliffe, 40, from Barnsley had completed the morning race and was enjoying a picnic on the field plus some bottles of wine to celebrate.

"It was really good and I'm really proud I did it but it was quite emotional seeing everyone's signs with who they were running for.

"It really makes you think and it's such a good cause that I wanted to help out."

Stella Mathews, 20, a student from Barnsley said: "Quite a lot of people are affected by cancer and I just thought this was a good way of raising money and raising awareness.

"It seems like everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer."

First across the line in the afternoon event was teacher Susan Tingle from Maltby.

The mum-of-one, who sprinted round in an incredible 18 minutes, 26 seconds, was running simply to raise money and had collected about £100.

At Free Press towers, our team of 14 all completed the course with reporter Kate Liptrot crossing the line in a super-speedy time of 25 minutes.

We are delighted to report that we are well on course to reach our £1,000 but readers can continue to support the cause by clicking here to log on to www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/thepressgang.