PORT ANGELES — Fifty teams endured downpours, darkness and fatigue, but by 6 p.m. Saturday, bound for their last lap, their goal had been surpassed
Relay for Life of Clallam County Chair Christy Casey unfurled a large, mock check to American Cancer Society and revealed the total — $104,265 raised in this year’s relay to benefit the American Cancer Society and cancer research.
It was more than $4,000 over the goal.
“Each of you should sleep well tonight, not just because of your tired bodies, but because all of you gave so much,” Casey told the crowd gathered for the relay’s closing ceremonies.
From 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, scores of people walked and ran around the Port Angeles High School track in the 17th annual relay, sometimes accompanied by live music, sometimes in the pouring rain, often encouraged by bystanders gathered in decorated tents.
One man, David Perry, became a fixture on the track. After joking with his wife that he would walk the whole 24 hours, he began walking Friday evening and kept on going through Saturday.
“I’m getting kind of tired now,” Perry, 66, said as he entered his 24th hour, moving down the track with his long, black umbrella serving as a walking stick.
“I really didn’t think it would come to be a reality,” said his wife, Barb, who joined Perry for parts of the relay.
“But once he sets his mind to something, he does it.”