It’s that time of year again!

Hundreds of women are getting ready to pull on their trainers, don their pinkest outfits, tutus and feather boas and walk, run or jog a 5km course to raise money for Cancer Research.

The Race for Life is back at Gloucester Park, in Basildon, on Sunday, with the 5km obstacle course version Pretty Muddy taking place today.

The park will be flooded with a sea of pink as the hundreds of women laugh their way around the course, with many wearing signs on their backs in memory of loved ones affected by cancer.

Don’t forget to head down to the park to support them and clap them over the finish line. 

Here are some of the lovely ladies taking part 

KAREN Smith, 50, of Kings Road, Rayleigh is Racing for Life in memory of several members of her family who were all affected by cancer.

Her dad Kevin Knight, 67, her mother-in-law Joan Smith, 81, and her father-in-law Bill Smith, 80, sadly all died of cancer within the space of just eight months two years ago.

The childminder, who has done Race for Life five times already, is now taking part in the challenging Pretty Muddy obstacle course with 10 of her friends under the team name Feelfabfit Angels.

The team includes her daughter Ami Roberts, 28, who is also racing in memory of her grandparents.

She said: “It’s just such a really good cause we all want to support to help people who are suffering.

“It is close to all our hearts as we have all lost someone or know someone who has beaten cancer.

“It’s the little bit of good I do every year along with holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning.

“It’s such a good day, full of tears and laughter and can do so much good.

“Last year we raised over £2400 between us, and are hoping to smash that target this year.”

Friends Angie Finch, Viv Roberts, Carol Barr, Natalie Skillett and Jackie Dawburn, who are pictured with Karen, are all determined to have fun on the day.

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MOLLY Newnham will be Racing for Life on Sunday in honour of her mum, Lynn Newnham, 53, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Molly, 22, of Greenacres, Hadleigh, said: “It hit the whole family like a ton of bricks and it was the hardest year of our lives!

“But my mum is so very strong but with her superwoman powers, endless amounts of treatment, continuous support from the breast clinic at Southend Hospital and the driven motivation she had throughout, she was given the all clear recently.

“My family and I are so very proud of my mum.

“This is the pure reason why I’m inspired to raise money for such amazing services which have helped my mum get through this terrible time.

“I feel really determined and motivated to raise more money to help others going through similar circumstances.”

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Tasha Whitmore will be leading the warm up for the hundreds of women taking part in the Race for Life on Sunday.

She takes part in and supports Race for Life events around the country in honour of her mum, Dawn Ptaszek, who has been battling breast cancer since 2008.

Tasha, from North Street, Hornchurch, said: “I wanted to do the Zumba warm up for such a good cause as it’s so close to my heart.

“Mum still has no hair so still wears an amazing wig. Despite what she’s been through she devotes herself to everyone else around her and even on rough days she’s always there for us all.

“Plus even with all this going on she’s still working as a medical secretary for the Royal London hospital.

“She’s truly an inspiration and is my hero.”

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RACE for Life veteran Claire Gasson is back to take on the race in memory of her mum Carol Noreen Gasson.

Claire, 46, of David Avenue, in Wickford, is doing the event for the ninth time.

She said: “I’m doing Race for Life in memory of my mum who had mesothelioma who passed away in 2008.

“I also want to raise awareness of my mum’s type of cancer, she believes she got it from her dad’s work clothes.

“It feels amazing to take part and raise awareness of cancer.

“It is the ultimate show of girl power, to raise money for ancer research to help prevent cancer and find cures.

“You also meet people and hear their stories about why they are doing it as well.

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Samantha Browne, 26, and her five-year-old daughter Ella Pearman are raising money for Ella’s great-grandad Richard Seely, from Benfleet, who died of cancer in March, aged 78.

Samantha and Ella, who live in High Road, Benfleet, will join his wife Patricia Seely, his daughter Maria Pearman, and granddaughter Rebecca Seely in the 5km Race for Life on Sunday.

Samantha said: “Two years ago we did the Race for Life for him and he actually met us half way through the race and finished it with us.

“We all crossed the finish line together.

“Richard was such an amazing man a fighter till the end and we miss him everyday.

“There is a big group of us called ‘Richards girls’ joining together to complete the Race for Life which involves all of his family members.”

To support their efforts and donate to the family’s fundraising page visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/ page/richards-girls

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Jo Smith, 35, of Church Park Road, Pitsea, is running in honour of her mother-in-law Sue Sutherland and her uncle Richard.

She is taking part in Pretty Muddy with her friends Charlene Fuller, 34, of Littlebury Green, Pitsea, and Sarah Melville, 33, of Elizabeth Way, Laindon.

Jo said: “You never think it will be your family or your friend. It’s something that happens to other people.

"But it’s not. We all know someone who is fighting a battle or facing a diagnosis - you might even be that person.

"Nothing prepares you for that word - cancer.

“My mother-in-law is fighting bravely. My uncle is minus a kidney and adrenal gland. I’m doing this for them, for research, for a cure, for hope. We’re really looking forward to it, I’ve done the normal 5k before but never an obstacle course.

“I’m really nervous about Pretty Muddy as I’m such a wimp and I hate mud but every single person I’ve spoke to who’s done it says how much fun it is and how supportive the crowds are on the day.

“I know that on the normal run the crowds are amazing, everyone cheering you on really makes you hold your head up and pound your feet a bit harder!

“I’m proud to be able to do my bit to raise money for Cancer Research UK - I can’t give my uncle his kidney back and I can’t fix my mother-in-law.

But I can help by raising money to go towards research and treatment - maybe when my kids are adults cancer won’t be the killer it is today.”

Donate at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/smiffys-team

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