CANCER sufferer Mary Burson was among 1,767 amazing women and girls who took part in Gloucester Race for Life yesterday.
Emotions were running high as they made their way through the city centre in a sea of pink outfits with the aim of raising £80,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Mum-of-three Mary completed the 5km route with daughters Ruby, six and Chloe, four, and raised £1,200 despite only finishing radiotherapy in April.
The 31-year-old had previously run the event in memory of her dad and was then diagnosed with breast cancer in October and had a single mastectomy.
The Newent resident said: "It's been much more emotional this year and a lot harder, but I was determined to do it."
The event started with a minute's silence to remember loved ones who had been lost to the disease.
Six-year-old Mackenzie Baker, from Brockworth, did the race in honour of her four-year-old cousin Cody White, from White City, who has fought off non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Her proud mum Leanne, 27, was by her side and said she had raised about £500.
"It's been very tough but we are a strong family and have pulled together," she said.
Breast cancer sufferer Amanda Westlake saddled up to walk the route dressed as a jockey and horse.
The 38-year-old was diagnosed last July and has now finished her radiotherapy.
She said: "I know I'm very lucky. Lots of people here have lost someone."
Bethany Sharp, 12 and Megan Sharp, eight, were racing in memory of their mum Lisa, who lived in Quedgeley and died from breast cancer in 2011.
Their grandmother Lyn Rudge said: "I feel very proud of them and Lisa would be too. It's such a nasty disease and that's why it's important to have events like this and you can never raise enough money."
