Applications are now open for ladies to take part in the 2025 Pink Ladies’ Tractor Road Run which will take place on Sunday 6th July.
This year will mark the event’s 21st run as ladies sign up to drive the 20-mile route through south Norfolk and north Suffolk on a convoy of decorated tractors swathed in pink.
To date the popular event has raised an astonishing £1,227,000 in aid of Cancer Research UK’s breast cancer appeal.
“What an amazing achievement to have raised over £1million in 20 years”
Organiser Annie Chapman said: “What an amazing achievement for a bunch of ladies on tractors, to have raised over £1million in 20 years for Cancer Research UK for breast cancer research!
“But cancer hasn’t gone away so we must continue to raise funds for this very worthwhile cause.
“Entries are starting to come in for this year’s run and I’m getting a lot of enquiries from new ladies which is very encouraging!”
Each year, thousands of people line the route, cheering on the Pink Ladies in towns, villages, laybys and gardens. Houses and businesses are bedecked in pink bunting, banners and flags and many supporters dress in head-to-toe pink.
The route starts at Thorpe Abbotts airfield before heading through Thorpe Abbotts, Brockdish and Upper Weybread, arriving in Harleston at about 12.30pm, before stopping for lunch between 1pm and 3pm at Gawdy Hall Meadow, Redenhall to which everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch.
The route back to Thorpe Abbotts airfield heads through Pulham St. Mary, Rushall, Langmere Green and back to the airfield.
“I have watched the Pink Ladies Tractor Run pass the cafe for the past 2 years and kept saying I would love to take part”
Each year about a quarter of the ladies taking part are new to the event with many having never driven a tractor before.
This year, Amy Hoddy from Stradbroke will be taking part for the first time. She said: “My husband and son run the Mariners Galley Cafe in Rushall and I have watched the Pink Ladies Tractor Run pass the cafe for the past 2 years and kept saying I would love to take part.
“At Christmas the cafe did a raffle to raise money for the Pink Ladies and we made almost £500. During this time, I expressed my wishes to the organiser, Annie, about taking part. But I don’t own a tractor and have never driven one. Annie found a tractor for me to drive and I am being loaned a 1958 Massey Ferguson 35x.
“I am absolutely blown away that I am going to be a pink lady. Everyone talks about what an incredible event it is and to take part is a real honour. I already have plans to have some driving practice before hand and am already looking for all things pink and glittery for both my tractor and self. Fundraising is already underway with friends and family already sponsoring me.”
Donations for this year’s event can be made via https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/unite/pink-ladies-tractor-road-run-2025
Entry forms can be downloaded off the Pink Ladies Tractor Run website or can be obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to Annie Chapman, Boundary Farm, Garlic Street, Pulham St Mary, Diss, Norfolk, IP21 4RL.
If you are unable to participate but would like to send a donation, please send a cheque payable to Cancer Research UK to the address above.
For enquiries, please call 01379 676324. Entries close on 17th May 2025.
For more information about the event please visit www.ladiestractorroadrun.co.uk
