THOUSANDS of women took to the Knavesmire this weekend, to tackle York's Race for Life.

Over two days the city hosted three different races - from the brand new "Pretty Muddy" obstacle course event on Saturday to today's 5k and 10k races.

The events are expected to have raised around £600,000 for Cancer Research UK, organisers said, and welcomed more than 5000 runners across the weekend.

Mums and daughters, aunties, grannies and friends all crossed the start lines, many sporting poignant tributes to the friends and loved ones whose memory would keep them going through the 5k or 10k races, or an onslaught of mud they faced in a brand new "Pretty Muddy".

York Press:

On Sunday, the started gun was fired by Leeds-based medical researcher Dr Ryan Matthews - who told the racers their support was invaluable in the search for better treatments for cancer.

>>> GALLERY: 58 photos from Saturday and Sunday

He said: "Without the runs, without the cake sales, and the sponsored swims,and all the things that people do, I wouldn't have the funding and the resources to carry on my research and hopefully make a better outcome for our cancer patients.

"Thank you all. Race like you've never raced before, and thank you for all the money that you have raised."

The runners also heard from bone cancer survivor Jayne Snell, who was running her first ever 5k on the anniversary of a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

Jayne paid tribute to the selfless young man who had donated his bone marrow to make her treatment possible, saying he had "given me my life back", and urged the crowds to consider becoming donors themselves to make a difference to other people facing the disease.

Among the thousands of runners were the Browne family, from Haxby, pictured below, who had a team of eight taking part to support six year old Ellie who is at the end of treatment for an inner ear cancer, which has even seen the family travel to the USA to get specialist care.

>>> GALLERY: 58 photos from Saturday and Sunday

York Press:

Grandma Cheryl King was part of the team, along with Ellie's mum Sally and her two-and-a-half year old sister Megan - and the children were set for an easier ride being pulled around the 5k course in a cart.

Sally said: "We've got a cart so we're going to do a bit of walking and bit of pulling them children along. We might have to get the boys to help out half way round."

Like them, York woman Penny Swords had her family around her as she crossed the start line of the 5k event. She was there with daughter Alison, mum Eunice and sister Julie - who had come back to York especially from her home in Derbyshire.

>>> GALLERY: 58 photos from York's events

Penny said: "When we registered we signed up as three generations, but now Alison is expecting so we we are four generations, although we can't see the little bump there will be three and a half generations running today.

"We're doing it for my dad, my father-in-law, Eunice's brother and sister, and her best friend."

York Press:

On Saturday, for the first time in York, the Pretty Muddy event was also staged. Around 5,200 women conquered an obstacle course bogged down by mud - which after heavy rain in the early hours became even more challenging.

Organiser Philippa Sharpe said York's enthusiasm for the event had made it a huge success.

"Pretty Muddy was in York for the first time, and it sold out which is great for us," she said. "I couldn't ask for more for the event - the feed back has been amazing too."

The Pretty Muddy participants raised an estimated £320,000, while 2000 raced the 5k race and another 500 the 10k, bringing in another £275,000.

Philippa added: "I love getting up on stage when the warm up is about the start - to see so many women all banded together.

>>> Mud, sweat and tears - and more mud: 58 photos from York's Race for Life events

"Watching the last participant over the line is a poignant moment as well - there is always a reason they are the last either because they have had treatment or because they have never even walked 5k before and it's been a real challenge for them."

One of the few to take on both days of racing was Race for Life stalwart Rachel Speight-McGregor, who donned her bunny and piglet outfits to lead a total of 17 warm up routines over the weekend, and completed both the Pretty Muddy and 5k races.

This year was her 13th time of taking part, and Rachel is aiming to still be there in York for her 50th event.

"Pretty Muddy was absolutely amazing - I was in a bunny outfit and covered top to toe in mud.

"It's great to do something different - and have the chance to get mucky!"