MORE than 600 people pouring in to a park in Colchester at the weekend to take part in a charity race.

Castle Park was packed with visitors on Sunday for this year’s Race for Life charity run.

The race saw hundreds of people congregate at lower park for the five-kilometre event.

Starting at 11am, the race encourages people to take part at their own pace.

The charity event supports Cancer Research UK with many visitors having their own connection to the illness.

Those racing donned all things pink to show their support for the fight against cancer.

Runners were also greeted by sunny skies with a heatwave getting underway at the weekend.

Members of the public of all aged and abilities were invited to attend.

Many of the runners had their own links to the terrible illness with some battling cancer themselves or running in support of friends and family with cancer.

Before taking on the trek, hundreds of runners gathered in the park for a warm up session.

It total, around 640 people decided to take part in the event.

The session was led by the Colchester central branch of Bounce, a trampoline fitness group.

Laura Wingar, owner of Bounce Colchester and Marks Tey, led the warm up sessions.

She said: “We have always been a massive supporter of cancer research UK running charity events at our venues regularly.

“Myself, many of my team and many of my attendees have all been affected in some way by the disease, and go above and beyond to always support the charity anyway we can.

“We even had a team of Bounce attendees running today.

“It was an absolute honour for myself and my team to be a part of the event.

“We look forward to supporting again next year!

“The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone did amazing and should be so proud of themselves for completing the 5k, especially on such a hot day.

“My team of girls who also came to support are Abi Bower, Jess Bailey, and Kelly Morgan.”

It comes as each year around 37,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East of England.

Money raised at the Race for Life will be used to help scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer - helping to save more lives. For more information go to raceforlife.org.