Nine hundred women have taken part in the first Race For Life event of the weekend, together raising more than £46,000.

The Pretty Muddy challenge is one of three being held in aid of Cancer Research in Carlisle's Bitts Park this weekend.

Tomorrow will see both the 5k and 10k Race For Life get underway.

Today's event saw women of all ages join together to beat cancer in what was an emotional, but also very positive, event.

Many of the participants had personal reasons for taking part, having watched loved ones battle cancer. Some had themselves beaten cancer and now wanted to raise funds to help others.

The Pretty Muddy challenge saw participants take on a range of inflatable obstacles while wading through mud.

It kicked off at 10am, with waves of challengers setting off every 15 minutes to space out the group.

Among those taking part were Lorraine Nixon, Ellie O'Donnell, Arwen Graham, Samantha Mallaburn and Gemma Nixon from the Linton holme pub in Carlisle, together raising about £700.

Lorraine said: "We've got a lot of people in the pub who have been affected by cancer. It's about raising some money and awareness."

Bernie Willets, 28, of Penrith, was taking part with a group of friends having herself beaten thyroid cancer.

Having been diagnosed two years ago, she is now celebrating the 12-month anniversary of being told she was cancer-free.

"I just wanted to do it because of that," she said. "To help raise some money for more research. To help others."

Friend Bryony Sharp, 33, also of Penrith, was inspired by her young daughter Cerys, now nearly 12, who has successfully battled leukaemia.

"She had two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy. She's doing great now, but I wanted to do something to help others," she said.

Emma Maskell, 23, from Cockermouth, was there with a group of friends from west Cumbria and Carlisle.

She said: "We are doing it for the future, to help beat cancer. It destroys families. It's just heartbreaking."

Armed police were on patrol at the event as a precaution.