THE race to beat cancer has started again in Worcester.

Dressed in pink with flags at the ready, fundraisers from Cancer Research UK gathered in Worcester city centre on Saturday to recruit more runners to the 'pink army'. in time for the Race for Life.

The Race for Life is a national event which takes place in cities around the UK, with Worcester's running on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.

Kelly Rumble, senior area events manager, said there is a new event which should provide a challenge to anyone thinking of signing up.

"On Saturday we are holding a new event, the Pretty Muddy 5k, where people can take part in a muddy obstacle course. This should be great fun and it will provide a challenge to the people who have done Race for Life before and want to try something different," she said.

"The Race for Life 5k and 10k runs are held on the Sunday. We are calling all ladies to come and see us and join in with a race. People can take part in a team or as an individual. It's always great fun and of course it's for a fantastic cause. I think some people think that because it's an event for women that the money goes to fighting cancers like breast cancer or ovarian cancer, but that's not correct. The money goes to Cancer Research UK who do research in to more than 200 types of cancer. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Whether people want to celebrate beating cancer or run in memory of a loved one, they can do that. We hope to motivate women of all fitness to sign up as soon as possible."

Last year's event saw 2,997 women in Worcester lace up their running shoes to raise £162,700.

Race for Life takes place at Worcester Racecourse.

To enter visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.