It was the biggest Race For Life ever held in the town and the event was blessed with beautiful sunshine as the women ran, jogged and strolled their way around the 5km course in aid of Cancer Research UK.
By Helen Nash, a sub-editor at the Harrogate Advertiser who took part in the run with her daughter Hannah, 10
Women on a mission are a dangerous breed and there was certainly some pedigree performances from some of the fancy dress brigade chanting their way along the 5km (3.1m) route between the cattle sheds at the showground.
Their cheerleading exploits would not have gone amiss in the main ring on Great Yorkshire Show days but they raised a smile and helped herd any flagging fundraisers along the route.
There's no rosette or big shiny trophy for best in show here but a small medal and a goody bag and the satisfaction of knowing that we've all helped in some way in the fight against cancer which is the best prize of all.