AROUND 1,800 women took part in Cwmbran's Race for Life today.

Runners gathered at North and Southfields Recreation Ground in Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran to join in the Cancer Research UK fundraising event.

Their target was to run, jog or walk the 5km course aiming to raise more than £128,000.

And although the skies were grey, Cwmbran's pink ladies did not let the drizzle dampen their spirits.

Among those determined to enjoy the day were Nicola Bates, 23, from Swffryd, and Rebecca Gadd, 23, from Crumlin, running the race to support a mutual friend recently diagnosed with battling breast cancer.

Ms Bates said: "She's only in her mid-20s and it's quite unusual to get it so young. We're doing this for her."

Bunny girls, cowgirls and hula dancers were just some of the other costumes lending a carnival atmosphere to the race.

There were even two participants from your Argus, reporters Jenny Brentnall and Debbie Green, who proudly puffed their way to the finish line in under 40 minutes.

Possibly this year's youngest entrant was little Alexia Hutchison, at just four months old.

She enjoyed taking part from the comfort of her buggy, being pushed by her mum Claire Hutchison, 30, from Newport, and accompanied by brother, Theo, 4, sister, Lollie, 8 and cousin Ben Lyons, 10.

See more photographs from this event in Monday's Argus.