WATCH: Runners raise £90,000 at Hartlepool’s Race for Life

More than 1,000 runners took part in the Race For Life, in Hartlepool, to support Cancer Research UK.

They raised around £90,000 for the organisation as they took on 5K and 10K runs along Seaton Reach in Coronation Drive, Seaton Carew.

It was the first time the 10K has been held in Hartlepool.

Many ran in memory of lost loved ones or to celebrate the lives of those who have beaten the disease.

Toni Hall, 36, a garage worker from Blackhall, was taking part with her friends Andrea Price, Hayley Ashworth and Mandy Stirling.

She said: “I’m doing this for a friend of mine, Margi Walker, who died not long back.

“I’ve done it once before and it’s a great event to be part of.”

Friends Elaine Butler, Elizabeth Metcalf and Claire Stathel, from Hartlepool, were also running the 5K.

Claire said: “We’re running for my friend who is going through cancer.

“We were a bit nervous because we’ve never done one before. We we’re just hoping to make it to the finish line.”

Kayleigh Hibbert, from Billingham, is running alongside her seven-year-old son, Bradley, in memory of her grandfather, Philip Hibbert, who lost his battle to cancer on her 21st birthday.

The 26-year-old said: “I’ve been doing the Race For Life ever since and I’ll continue to do it every year.

“I want to raise as much money as I can for Cancer Research to help other people like my grandad.”

Donna Hunton, 43, also from Billingham, was running with her daughter Chloe, six.

She said: “I lost my mam, Edna Ferguson, to cancer in 1997 and we lost my husband Colin’s mum, Olive, in February.

“This event is about getting to together to remember those we’ve lost and raise money for a worthy cause.”

East Durham Homes worker Rhonda Pickering, 39, was first to cross the 5K finish line.

She said: “I won last year as well so wanted to come back and see if I could do it again.

“I feel great and I love this event, it’s such an amazing atmosphere.”