WOMEN who ran the Bolton Race for Life kick-starting the UK's largest ladies-only fundraising event in the North West are being urged to return their sponsorship money to help beat cancer sooner.

Organisers want the 900 women who entered the event at Leverhulme Park to make sure they return the cash to help the charity to find new treatments for the disease.

The Bolton event alone is expected to raise £60,000.

And for the first time this year women who took part, or have been inspired by the event, can take part in Race for Life Pretty Muddy — which is a 5k race but with "added mud".

It involves obstacles — including scrabble nets and a big inflatable slide at the end of the course.

Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK’s Lancashire spokeswoman, said: “Race for Life in Bolton was a fantastic event.

"We want to say a heart-felt thanks to everyone who took part and made it a fantastic day including our incredible speaker Chelsea Brandrick from Egerton who shared her emotional experience of being treated for a rare type of leukaemia which she was diagnosed with at the age of just 20.

“The treatments for Chelsea’s type of leukaemia were only discovered in the 1990s and thanks to that she’s still here today.

“We are hoping to raise more than £60,000 from the event to help Cancer Research UK in our mission to beat cancer sooner so it is really important that participants pay in their sponsorship money."

She added: “If you enjoyed Race for Life then you might also be interested in our Race for Life Pretty Muddy.

“Pretty Muddy promises all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5k and 10k events — just with an extra serving of mud and obstacles.

"Race for Life events are not competitive.

"They are not about being fit or fast. Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, climbing, jumping, walking and laughing their way around.”

Race for Life Pretty Muddy takes place at Heaton Park, in Prestwich, on Saturday, July 11.

To enter visit raceforlife.org