HUNDREDS of women took on an obstacle course challenge in Worcester Racecourse today, to raise money for Cancer Research.

Runners ended up coated in mud after completing the 5km Race for Life Pretty Muddy event.

Many of the participants had stories to share about how cancer had affected their lives.

Tina Young, from Stourbridge, was taking part in the race ahead of a third phase of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Ms Young, 50, said: "This is my third attempt to do the race, I was diagnosed in 2013 and for the last two occasions I was having chemotherapy."

Ms Young said she found the race inspiring and had fantastic fun running alongside her family.

Sam Williams, a nurse at Long Lartin prison, was racing as part of Nightingale nurses team.

The team ran in memory of Sarah Bearcroft, a fellow nurse who died in February after fighting breast cancer for 10 years.

Ms Williams, 37, said: "We are all nurses from Long Lartin prison and look after the male prisoners.

"They are people like everyone else and we have cared for patients going through long term fights with cancer and bouts of chemotherapy."

The team has raised around £3500 for Cancer Research through online donations and fundraising activities.

Hereford twins Dawn and Rebecca Cox were also running to fight breast cancer.

Dawn, 29, was particularly daunted by the event because of a fear of mud, which is caused by her obsessive compulsive disorder.

"I saw this as not only a physical challenge but also a mental one because if I see mud on me it triggers panic attacks," she said.

Runners overcame jumps and slides to complete the obstacle course at Pitchcroft.