It began as a sea of pink and climaxed in a brown splattered wave.

Hundreds of women got stuck in at a charity race in Southampton to lead the charge against cancer.

Women of all ages slipped and slithered their way around the Pretty Muddy assault course in Southampton Common.

The beauty spot was transformed into a 5km route featuring multiple obstacles including tyres, a mud bath covered in ropes and rubber hurdles  climaxing in a huge mud slide.

The event was part of the Race For Life series in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Competitors dressed in trademark pink - sporting tutus, hats, rabbit ears and glitter.

But shortly into the course their outfits turned a fitting shade of brown.

Family members stood on the sidelines cheering them on but trying not to get too close to get sloshed with mud.

Dee Castle was running with six colleagues from her salon Las Chicas Hair and Beauty in Swanwick Lane, Southampton, raising more than £300 for charity.

She said: "We've done the Race for for Life before but thought the mud would make it a lot more fun. Everybody has got a story about someone affected by cancer."

Hannah Southerden, 22, from Bishop's Waltham also completed the course and said: "it was fun but very slippery and hard climbing the slide at the end."