Women get 'Pretty Muddy' at Weston Park charity event - with video and pictures

The 'Pretty Muddy' event, organised by Cancer Research UK, saw thousands of women and girls tackle a five or 10km obstacle course in the grounds of Weston Park today.

They gathered at the start line in a sea of pink, glitter, tutus – and even a wedding dress! However, the course, which included tunnels, slides and mud pools, made sure by the time they finished the race participants were caked head to toe in mud.

Watch this incredible 360 degree video of the Kids' race:

This year was also the first year that the the Pretty Muddy Kids 5K event was held at Weston Park.

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman Paula Young said: "It was an amazing event. There were 2,500 people taking part in total – including adults and children. It is the first kids' Pretty Muddy event we have held at Weston Park – which was a huge success and all the kids loved it.

"The children all loved going through the tunnels and the big slide into the mud bath at the end!"

Watch video from the main run:

Paula added: "Thousands of women and children have taken part in this event – and we were at full capacity. Everyone has really enjoyed themselves and it was great to see the children getting involved this year too.

"Everyone was having a good time and it is all for a great cause!

"We still have 38 events still to go across the Midlands so anyone is welcome to take part and raise funds for Cancer Research."

Twelve-year-old Eleanor Young, who took part in the kids race, said: "The really great thing about taking part in the race was that everyone was cheering you on all the way round."

Maxine Blakemore, 35, and Nicola Starbuck, 39, were taking part with as a team of 12 from work dressed up in old-fashioned nighties.

Maxine said: "It has has all been organised through work but I am doing it in memory of my mum, Glenda.

"The Pretty Muddy is a lot of good fun and we wore nighties as we just wanted to be a bit different by dressing up."

Nicola said: "I have never done it before so it was a lot of fun and I would love to do it again.

"Some of the obstacles were quite difficult especially with the added water and mud – but it was part of the experience. There were 12 of us doing it in total and we managed to compete the course in around an hour. We went down the slide at the end in two groups, I absolutely loved the mud bath at the end."

Bobby Court, 24, who was taking part after one of her relatives was diagnosed with cancer recently, said: "It is the first time I have taken part this year, but my cousin does it every year. She roped me into doing it this year alongside her!

"My cousin has so far raised £170 for Cancer Research, and I have raised £90. One of my relatives was recently diagnosed with cancer, so I am doing it for her."

Sian Gardner, 30, said: "We are taking part this year because we must be mad! We thought it would be a laugh. We did it for anyone who has been affected by cancer. It is all about beating cancer.

"My friend, Natalie, and I have raised about £300 so far."

Friends Sarah Davies and Michelle Hockill, both 36, were taking part in the 5K race for their friend Jo who had breast cancer.

Sarah said: "We did it with our friend Jo last year, she had breast cancer, so we ran with her.

"She isn't taking part this year as she has just recently had surgery. She's kicked cancer right off!"

Michelle added: "We are mainly doing it for Jo, but I have a few family members who have been affected by cancer. We just need to get rid of cancer.

"It was brilliant – such good fun. This year's event was a lot more muddier so we were absolutely caked in mud at the end. But the muddier the better I say.

"There were a few more obstacles this year and they were off a different variety. We both really enjoyed it and have so far raised more than £250."