LOSING a loved one to cancer spurred hundreds of runners to take part in a 5k Race for Life event at Victoria Park in Widnes.

Students and staff from Riverside College and Cronton Sixth Form College raised thousands for Cancer Research.

Widnes Viking players Chris Dean, Gil Dudson and Stefan Marsh and Everton FC legend Graham Stuart congratulated runners at a celebration barbecue.

Some runners had conquered cancer themselves.

Event organiser Helen Maddison said:“For the third year running our Race for Life has been a huge success.

“It was incredible to see so many people taking part in this special event.

“So far we have raised a fantastic £2,238 for Cancer Research UK with lots of donations still coming in.

“Preparation is already underway for next year’s event which will be even bigger!”

Halton Cllr Eddie Jones, Widnes Vikings player Chris Houston,assistant coach Mick Cassidy and head of strength and conditioning Tim Holmes started the race.

Cronton student Nathan Jones, a former pupil at Ormiston Bolingbroke Academy, won and Kathryn Schofield, a former pupil at St Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School, was the fastest female runner.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/riverside-cronton-race4life-2018.