Before the first lap around the track Friday night, organizers were celebrating a successful Relay for Life in Dawson County

"We went into the evening a couple thousand dollars above our $60,000 goal," said Jay Walker, campaign chairman. "Early on, we said we'd be ecstatic if we hit $70,000."

By the end of the night, $81,575 had been raised toward finding a cure for cancer.

"That's just the money we had in hand. We know more will be coming in," he said.

In a time when corporate sponsorships are down due to the economy, Walker credited the campaign's success to the three dozen teams who signed up for the event and championed the cause.

"The teams made it happen this year," he said.

Team booths offered a variety of activities and entertainment for the entire family, ranging from a cake walk and video game contest to face painting, food and a mock jail where those "arrested" paid a $5 bail to be released.

Paying his fee, Spencer Wright said he and his family attend Relay for Life every year to support friends, family and co-workers who have battled cancer.

"Cancer has really touched the lives of so many people and we're just here to support them all," he said.

The evening began with more than 100 cancer survivors taking a lap around the track.

Among the survivors was Rhonda Stone, who for the third consecutive year walked the entire 12 hours.

Walker said event organizers enjoyed holding the event at the track, where luminaries encircled the field and spelled out "hope" in the concrete bleachers in memory of those who have lost the fight with cancer.

"[The luminary service] was more moving and better than any church service I've ever been to," he said.