HUNDREDS of women and men united to take part in Race for Life for Cancer Research UK.

The 5k run around Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre yesterday saw men take part for the first time ever this year.

Spirits were high and so were emotions, as people remembered and paid tribute to loved ones lost to the life changing disease, and some ran to celebrate overcoming their own battle with the ‘Big C’.

Lynsey Beard, 45, who lost her sister Nicola to breast cancer in March, came with the whole family, from ages three to 78, to run as a tribute to the 47-year-old who sadly lost her five-year fight.

She said: “There was 26 of us here today including my younger sister who is eight months pregnant, to run in memory of Nicola.

“Her last wish was to give us all butterfly necklaces as a way to remember her so we called ourselves Nicola’s Butterfly Brigade.

“It was nice to do the race which some of us walked, as a family, although it was very emotional.”

A spokesman for Cancer Research UK, said: “There was a fantastic atmosphere in Southend - everybody really went to town with their outfits.

“We are so grateful to everybody who took part in our Race for Life events around the country.

“It was particularly special that this was the first Race for Life where men could take part.”