THERE was a sea of pink in Cwmbran yesterday as 1,900 joggers, walkers and even dogs lined up to take part in the Race for Life for Cancer Research UK.

The race, which fell on Father’s Day, was especially poignant for fundraisers who were completing the 5k course in memory of their dads who had died from cancer.

Nineteen-year-old Julia Abbott was the third to cross the finishing line and was running for her dad, who she lost almost five years ago.

Completing the course in just 22 minutes and 41 seconds, Ms Abbott, from Cwmbran, said: “I have got an ankle injury, I could feel it during the race but I wanted to do it. 

“I was in pain but I just thought about Father’s Day and it kept me going.”

The first to cross the finish line were 12-year-old cousins Ben and Rhys Parker who ran for Ben’s sister who was diagnosed with brain cancer but has since recovered. The pair completed the course in 21 minutes.

The runners set off first at just before 11am followed by the hundreds of walkers of all ages, with many dressed with pink wigs and tutus.

Lisa Sweeting, events manager for Cancer Research UK’s Cwmbran race, worked with a team of 40 volunteers to put on yesterday’s race. She said it is hoped the race will raise total of £105,000 for the charity.

She said: “Events like today’s are absolutely fantastic for the charity, we don’t receive any government funding so any sponsorship we get is ideal. 

“We spend millions every year on research, it’s expensive and even though race for life has been going for a number of years, it’s so important to keep doing them to raise the money. 

“The atmosphere is brilliant and the site was absolutely packed this morning. It’s a really nice day for it. 

“Obviously it is Father’s Day and Cancer Research UK funds research into all types of cancer for men and women so it’s an important day for everybody, even though it’s just women taking part. It’s a chance for women to take part to remember their fathers or celebrate their lives.”

Also running for her dad was 50-year-old Carolyn Reynolds, who raised £100 and said the race was “more poignant” because of Father’s Day.

It was the second year running that Emma Virgo, from Newport, has completed the race, beating last year’s time of 48 minutes with new personal best 38 minutes yesterday.

She said: “I’m running for my nan, Cynthia, who I lost 11 years ago. She always used to do charity fundraising for cancer so I’m following in her footsteps.”

46-year-old Lisa Pinch, from Newport, came fourth in yesterday’s race, running for her mum’s mother and her mum’s two sisters. Ms Pinch, who raised £60, said: “It was fabulous; I loved every minute of it.”

For one family, yesterday was a day filled with celebration after mum Jo Yapp, from Undy, completed the race after having survived cancer twice. 

She walked the race with her eight-year-old daughter Emma, family friend Jane Hammond and Jane’s son, Christopher, while husband Phil came along to support.

Phil Yapp said: “Jo’s running for her dad who she lost 12 years ago, but she also had cancer herself twice, the last time in 2008.

“There’s been a lot in our collective family. I lost my mum 28 years ago. So it’s a day which is really important to us.”

It is the second time eight-year-old Emma has run the Race for Life, and third time for mum Jo.

Mrs Yapp said: “It was alright, I did it in just under 50 minutes. It’s lovely running behind everybody reading their stories on the back of their t-shirts. There’s so much energy here today and some of the little ones are only four or five.”

Speaking of her battle with cancer, she added: “If I can do it anyone can, you’ve just got to fight.”

Friend Jane Hammond said: “We all have got memories but today we have got someone running today who’s beaten cancer twice. 

“It’s just about coming and supporting people, so many people have so many reasons. It’s also about trying to get round without crying.”