More than 3,500 women braved the rain to run the 5km charity Race For Life at Stanmer Park, Brighton.

The Cancer Research UK event was so popular organisers had to turn people away.

All participants in the race, now in its ninth year, were women and many used the occasion to remember a friend or relative who had suffered from cancer.

Suszann Parry, of Brighton, lost her mother-in-law to stomach cancer six years ago. She herself had lymph cancer and was celebrating after getting the all-clear from her doctor in April.

The 57-year-old said: "I do the run every year. I think its such a good cause - but it's a shame the organisers have to limit the number of people who can take part."

Race For Life has organised 100 races nationally this summer and aims to raise £12 million for cancer research. The Brighton event is expected to raise at least £150,000.

Octogenarian Lydia Perry also took part before going home to cook Sunday dinner for her grandchildren.

Lydia, who is 81 in two weeks time, put on her running shoes and completed the course in a very respectable 90 minutes.

The perky pensioner, who took up keep fit two years ago, accepted the race organisers' challenge to use the event as a reason to 'celebrate or commemorate'.

Lydia did both, commemorating the life of her late brother George Parmee and celebrating her own golden wedding anniversary.

Cheered on by husband James, daughter Fiona Turton and other family members and accompanied by granddaughter Emily Turton, 14, she kept up a steady walking pace and sped up for the home straight.

Mrs Turton said: "We're very proud of her. She is such a game old stick."

Mrs Perry, of Clifton Road, Burgess Hill, is a member of the Inca Club at The Triangle leisure centre in Burgess Hill.

Mrs Turton said: "For a while she was barely able to walk, never mind run, but a couple of years ago she thought she ought to try to do something about it, so she joined the Triangle and started going to the Inca Club.

"Since then she has gone from strength to strength. I think the trainers at the club take a special interest in her because she is so game."

After the race, Mrs Turton and her brother Nigel Perry wanted their mother to take it easy but she had other ideas.

Mrs Turton said: "She came home and cooked a big Sunday lunch for the rest of the family. My brother kept saying 'For goodness sake, sit down' but she still had plenty of energy."

Mrs Turton said the race itself was a joyous experience, despite the dire weather.

"Everyone was in amazing spirit - Mum included. There was a really lovely atmosphere to the whole event."