GLASGOW turned pink for the day as women in tutus, bunny ears and fairy wings descended on the city for the annual Race For Life.

A total of 14,483 runners dressed in pink took part in the UK's biggest Race For Life event, which began and ended in Glasgow Green.

The race was opened by seven-year-old Ben Magee, who celebrated the end of a successful three year fight against leukemia at yesterday's race.

Youngster Ben was joined by former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke to open the race.

Ben had just received his last chemotherapy treatment a few days before at Yorkhill Hospital.

Mum Fiona, 47, from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, said she is filled with pride by her sons recovery and determination to overcome the illness.

She said: "He was diagnosed with leukemia only a few months before he started school for the first time and he went through so much.

"But he started school bang on time, like all his friends, and has proved strong as an ox through it all.

"That's just the way he is and we are so proud of him. Running the Race For Life then throwing a big party is our way of thanking all the special people who have helped our family."

Pop star Alexandra Burke was happy to interact with the crowd and took a particular shine to six-month old baby Kyle Shand, from Carntyne

His mum Nicola said: "I was shocked that we got the chance to meet her, and we asked her to hold the baby and she just said yes and took him.

"Alexandra was lovely, and she was saying he was really cute and kept asking if she could take him home.

"He's got really long eyelashes and she was commenting on that, and saying how lovely he was.

"I've watched her all through X Factor and I love her music, it was great to meet her."

Those taking part in the race included mothers with prams, people in wheelchairs, pregnant women, men in drag, and dogs dressed in pink.

Laura Black, 25, from Twechar, also added a shade of white to this pink day. After getting in the village yesterday, the bride was joined by her bridesmaids in their full outfits.

Bridesmaids Joanne Storrie, Lesley Fleming, Amy Fleming and Clare McFarlane joined Laura in traveling straight from the reception to the race,

She said: "I've done the Race For Life for a couple of years now, and when I found out it was the day after my wedding it seemed like a really good idea.

"It added something even more special to this race for me, and it got a really good reaction from everyone."

Amy Ferguson, 23, from Paisley, was one of the first over line, and raised £130 for Cancer Research UK.

She said: "I ran in memory of my dad. He died of a brain tumour when I was nine, so I know how great a cause this event is.

"It's a tough run, it's hard to appreciate how long it is before you start but it does take it out of you.

"The support of the crowd is always really important, and creates a good atmosphere. The people who are cheering you on, the pipers, and the emotion make it a really special run."

Mhari Black, who recently revealed her reasons for doing the race to the Evenings Times, also enjoyed the atmosphere of the day.

The 19-year-old, from Baillieston, revealed the emotion behind the event, as he ran in memory of her mum who died at just 54.

She said: "I think the best part of it was the people that were there. I could understand it being quite an emotional atmosphere if the loss of someone was fresh in your mind.

"It's a weird atmosphere because of the loss to people, but it's still a great day and I would do it again."