Record-breaking tractor run marks 21st year

A record-breaking number of tractors took part in this year’s Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run to mark the event’s 21st outing.

On Sunday, ladies gathered to drive a spectacular convoy of 192 tractors bedecked in pink decorations along a 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk.

“What an emotional trip”

Torrential rain, followed by brilliant summer sunshine, didn’t deter the thousands of people who turned out along the route to cheer the ladies on.

Organiser Annie Chapman MBE, who was driving one of the oldest tractors on the run – a 1950 David Brown Cropmaster – said: “It was a wonderful day despite the really heavy shower in the first half, but thankfully we had beautiful sunshine for the return journey!

“What an emotional trip for so many of the lady drivers and, I know, many of the public watching. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible – and so spectacular!”

Supporters lined the route in towns, villages, laybys and gardens with houses and businesses awash with pink bunting, banners and balloons.

“It’s a large team effort!”

Over the course of the run’s history, the event has raised a staggering total of more than £1.2m for Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal and the total raised from this year’s run will be announced in September.

Annie Chapman said: “As with any event of this size it cannot be achieved without the support of many people. I would like to thank everyone involved, all the drivers, all the people who lend tractors, the landowners, the many marshals, collecting ladies and anyone else who helps to make this event happen, it’s a large team effort!”