The Relay for Life candle ceremony was an emotional one, as people remembered both those who had died of cancer and those who had survived.
The darkened track at Wanganui's Cooks Gardens on Saturday was decorated with glowing lanterns and teams walked in silence as a solitary spot-lit piper played.
Wanganui-Rangitikei-Waimarino Cancer Society manager Linda Farley said it was a beautiful evening. The relay was the first she had arranged, and the first to be held at Cooks Gardens.
A cancer survivor herself, she walked the survivors' lap at the beginning holding hands with fellow survivor Marie Baker, who supported her through her breast cancer.
The relay was also special for Hayes Garland, the father of Brendon Thompson-Garland who died in November aged 11, after a five-year battle with a brain tumour.
"The Relay for Life is quite special to us because we did it last year with him." The Brendon's Angels team numbered 16, with family and friends walking the 24 hours away.
Cancer had affected the lives of most of the participants, but that didn't make the occasion morbid. "It had a really good feeling about it. There was a lot of love and a lot of laughter," Mrs Farley said.
She was stunned and grateful at the generosity of the participants. There were 51 fundraising teams of walkers and as many as 1000 people involved. The relay raised at least $50,000 for the Cancer Society, all of which would be spent in its region. Teams competed to raise the most money and the winner was the Pak'nSave team of 28, which raised more than $5800. The Wanganui Chronicle team raised the most money per person, with a total of more than $5600, and the Go Girls team came a close second at just under $5000.
There were prizes for best dressed, health promoting and happiest teams, and for decorated tents. There was entertainment right through the 24 hours.
Mrs Farley said staging the relay at Cooks Gardens was excellent, because the kitchen, toilets, changing rooms, dining space and bar were all available. Wanganui Events Trust staff even allowed those not walking to watch sport on a big screen.
The dedication of the walkers was another plus. "I was awake all night and at all times there were groups of people walking round and round the track and supporters clapping and encouraging them on."