The best pictures from Southampton Race for Life 2025

The Southampton Race for Life took place on Saturday, June 21, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

Among the hundreds of people who took part were cancer survivors as well as those who had lost loved ones to cancer.

Selina Williams, 32, from Fair Oak and Nikki Lewin, 48, from Bitterne Park were both running in the 5K race.

Selina Williams, 32, from Fair Oak and Nikki Lewin (Image: NQ) The 32-year-old said: "We are running for my step daughter Olivia who passed away in December of last year at the age of 11 of Leukaemia." 

Olivia was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, got into remission in 2023 and relapsed in 2024 - passing away six months later. 

Selina continued: "Olivia did the race herself when she was fighting cancer. We pushed her through the course on her wheelchair in 2023 and 2024. 

"We are really pleased to have raised more than £2,000."

READ MORE: City park turns pink as Race For Life gets underway

Taking to the main stage this year was Olivia's dad, Graham Blyth, 33, who was using his knowledge as a personal trainer to help the crowds warm up before the race.

Graham Blyth, 33 (Image: NQ) He said: "So many people are affected by cancer. It's the families as well that have suffered through such hardship watching cancer's devastating impact."

All ages competed in the 3k, 5k, and 10k races through staggeringly hot temperatures of 27 degrees.

Max Wood, 26, lost his mum to cancer in March.

Max Wood, 26 (Image: NQ) He said: "Mum had a really rare form of cancer known as GISTs - I'm racing today for her with my good friend Holly.

"I was panicking a bit when I saw it was going to be in the high 20 degrees.

"I'm really not built for that kind of heat but I'm going to make mum proud and give it the best go I can.

"To anyone thinking of doing Race for Life, just get up and go.

"It's all about getting out of your comfort zone - for me, just being here today is a huge step forward and I'm loving every minute of it."

Georgina Edwards, Joshua Edwards, Michelle Edwards and Molly Newell (Image: NQ) Michelle Edwards, 54, who was diagnosed with endometrial cancer last year and had to have surgery, was one of the participants in this year's race.

She said: "It's hard but you just have to take it in your stride and just keep going."

Also taking part in Saturday's Race for Life was siblings, Jade and Ryan Willcox - after loosing their grandmother to cancer last month. 

Jade, Harriet, Ryan and Charlie (Image: Submitted) Jade said: "We took part in the Race For Life 10K at Southampton Common yesterday, myself and my brother, Ryan, ran alongside his girlfriend, Harriet, and friend, Charlie, in honour of our nan who sadly passed away last month to cancer .

"What better way to honour her than running a 10k for her. Ryan even completed in less than an hour."

Joanne Cook has been running in the Southampton Race for life since 2012 and ran in the 10K race on Saturday. 

Joanne Cook (Image: Submitted) She added: "I have lost both off my parents to cancer - my dad sadly lost his fight to cancer in March, 2003, and was only 59 years old.

"Then my lovely mum  sadly lost her fight to cancer in 2012 at only 65 years old.

"I always do race for Life in their memory and to raise money for cancer research and help others that are fighting cancer."