HUNDREDS of women got pretty muddy at Oxford’s South Park on Saturday to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

The Race For Life Pretty Muddy fundraiser returned to the East Oxford park with women of all ages running, sliding, climbing and crawling through a 5k obstacle course.

For the first time this year children also ran their own race around the obstacle course, with many grasping the chance to get covered head to toe.

More than 1,500 women and children took part in the fundraiser, raising an estimated £110,000.

Friends, Helena Davison, 26, Amy Johnson, 28, and Sarah Warren, 28, completed the obstacle course together as a trio for the first time.

The Banbury bunch were convinced to enter by Ms Davison, who had completed a number of other fundraisers including the Race for Life in memory of her aunt who died last year.

An exhausted Ms Davison said: “It was great, it’s just something completely different.

“It was tough going uphill, downhill it wasn’t as bad.

“It was a bit of a relief getting into the mud to be honest because it was a bit cooler after you’d been running in the sun.”

The undulating course through the park on Headington Hill saw competitors climb A-Frames, crawl through mud pits and shoot down slides.

The Splatter Mud Magnets, made up of 11 mothers and daughters from Abingdon, stayed true to their team name and finished the race more or less covered in mud.

Shane Didcot, who had organised the group, said: “It was great fun. It was the first time we’d done it as a group.

“We weren’t bothered about the time, we all just wanted to finish together.”

She said: “It’s a great atmosphere, everyone cheering each other on and helping each other get round- and it’s for a great cause.”

Asked if they would do it again she said: “I wouldn’t want to join them over there right now about to start, put it like that.

“But we’d like to do it next year, if we’re still fit enough.”

Abi Thomas, who had just finished the obstacle course with friend, Jo Porter, said: “It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this.

“It was quite warm which made it tough, but still a lot of fun.

“It was just good to be a part of it and help raise money for such a great cause.”

Organisers said they were delighted with the turn out for the event which is still in its infancy.

Sophie Heath, of Cancer Research UK said: “I think the people of Oxford have really come together and supported us in this event.

“Everyone I’ve spoke to said they loved it. It’s wonderful to see everyone coming together.

“We’re all doing it for the same reason, we’ve all been touched by cancer and just to see everyone out there was fantastic.”

The charity said it is hope to be able to bring Pretty Muddy back to South Park next year.