A SEA of pink filled Oxford University Parks yesterday as thousands of women took on cancer at Race for Life.

The gates opened at the Cancer Research UK event from 9am as scores of women and girls laced up their running shoes for the 5k route.

Following a quick zumba warm-up, the competitors, dressed in a range of pink consumes and wigs, made their way to the start line for the 10am start.

Many were sporting messages in memory of friends, family or loved ones who had died as a result of cancer.

Runner Nunu Samata, 36, who ran with fellow Tesco workers, decided to sport a bright red “afro” wig in memory of her sister-in-law, Mercy Nsubanga, who lost her life to bowel cancer last month aged 43.

The customer assistant from Headington, who ran the whole race despite intending to jog in intervals, said: “I am celebrating my sister-in-law’s life and I have chosen red because it is fun.

“The red wig is for her because she loved life, so today I am celebrating her life.

“It is fantastic because it is my first time and it is such a shame I have not been doing it all this time and it has taken me to lose someone close to do something about it.

“It was great because I thought I would just jog but I ran it and I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was really nice and there were people with stories on their backs and that motivated me.

“I saw someone in a wheelchair and my teammate was on crutches so I thought if they are here, I can run it.”

Elsewhere Kaylea Cross, from Cutteslowe, and sister Megan, 18, turned up dressed as video game legends Mario and Luigi with the attached moustaches to boot.

The pair were running in memory of their grandfather Michael Carroll who died from bone cancer six years ago. Kaylea said: “To see so many people who are trying to stop this[cancer] is amazing.

Organisers said they hoped more people signed up on the day would add to the 3,300 runners who had registered.