WOMEN across the county braved the mud of South Park as they vaulted hurdles and scrambled under nets to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

Returning for a successful second year, Pretty Muddy - a 5k Race for Life obstacle event - saw about 1,700 women descend on the Headington park on Saturday morning.

The challenge, which is already becoming known for its buzzing atmosphere, also has a poignant side, and saw the competitors, many of whom have lost loved ones to cancer, raise about £100,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Lisa Higgott, of Chinnor, in South Oxfordshire, took on the challenge for the second time in memory of her father, who died of cancer at the age of 75 last year.

She said: "We lost my dad to cancer last year very suddenly. It spread to his lungs and within four weeks we had lost him.

"It is quite an emotional event in that sense."

The 45-year-old, who took on the challenge in a group of more than 20 people, said that, while the event had its poignant side, it was also a great laugh.

She continued: "It's a really great atmosphere. It's such good fun. Everyone helps everyone else with getting under nets and things.

"All of the girls I did it with seemed to really enjoy it."

Together, she and the 21 others raised £2,500, a total she hoped would climb to £3,000.

Starting from 10am, the women moved at varying speeds around the challenging course, which includes climbing frames, nets, hurdles and inflatable slides.

The goal, for many, is to end the challenge looking completely different from when it was started, and many women achieved this by becoming ensconced in mud by the end of the 5k.

A group of women from Sturt Farm Stables near Burford decided to take on the challenge together.

Clare Goldie, who lives in the same area, said: "We've all got injuries because we're all horse riders but it was tremendous fun.

"Every member of our group has got a good reason for doing it.

"I think we're planning to do it every year now - potentially with a hobby horse next time."

Together the group had managed to raise around £1,000.

Organiser Lucy Hetherington said the event was something different and, in her opinion, gave those taking part the best view of Oxford from the park's highest point.

She encouraged entrants to get their sponsorships in and said the event was expected to raise around £100,000.