Crowds run Relay for Life

BATTLE: Thousands of people, young and old, took part in the event showing how wide-spread the effects of cancer are.

the atmosphere was electric as thousands of people joined together for this year's Relay for Life last weekend.

The annual 24-hour event has now raised more than $5 million over 16 years to support the battle against cancer. Organiser Faye James said 112 teams from across the district took part, equating to more than 2000 participants.

The money from this event has so far been tallied at $305,000 with more expected in the coming days.

"This is a wonderful, true community event that is so well supported by teams, sponsors and the general public," Ms James said.

A special moment for her over the weekend was the survivors lap, which began after a 40-year cancer survivor cut the ribbon. The candlelight ceremony was also a spectacle, where the track came alive as the circuit lit up for walkers and runners through the night.

The closing ceremony included releasing doves, a sign of everybody's wish to have a cancer free world.

Relay for Life originally began in Washington in 1985. Dr Gordy Clatt completed a 24-hour walk/run in recognition of all those affected by cancer. Months later he and his friend Pat Flynn gathered a committee together and created the first Relay for Life in 1986, with 19 teams taking part.

Relay for Life has now grown into a global event, bringing together more than four million people from dozens of countries.