By Monday afternoon Linda Kaser was still reveling. Friday and Saturday’s North Whidbey Relay for Life was a blur and so vivid all at once. This was one great 20th birthday party for the North Whidbey Relay.

“It was all pretty awesome,” Kaser said.

The North Whidbey Relay for Life had raised $112,000 by the time opening ceremonies rolled around Friday afternoon and by the closing ceremony Saturday afternoon the fund-raising tally reached $142,409.

Warm temperatures proved to be a benefit more than a burden for the hundreds who circled the North Whidbey Middle School track by walking, running, rolling or strolling their way around countless times.

“You saw them sweating but they didn’t stop,” Kaser said.

When it comes to the fight against cancer, a little heat doesn’t have a chance. Everyone hit the track, played games, enjoyed great food, music, and the friendship of others.

“Relay helps build awareness going into the future fight against cancer,” said Aida Martin, a member of the Fil-Am Association team that helped fuel everyone with delicious lumpia and pancit.

It was the seventh Relay for Eugene and Sharon Koorn. For years Sharon has been a member of the Hillcrest-Broad View team of teachers and staff who Relay against cancer.

“It’s fun to be a part of something like this,” Eugene Koorn said. “We get to see all the people you’ve met over the years, see how they’re doing and meet new friends.”

After walking five miles, Koorn couldn’t be more pleased by his tired feet this week.

“Hopefully now we’re steps closer to finding a cure,” he said.

Kaser said when people look for the local impact of the Relay for Life fund-raising they should keep in mind what is good for the greater cause is good for everyone.

“People are always keyed in on how much money stays in the community,” Kaser said. “But even if the money goes across the country it benefits us right here.”

She points to East Coast advancement in the fight against prostate cancer as just one example.

The energy level and spirits were definitely high at the 2007 Relay. The Vikings, a team of active duty members from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, nabbed best costume honors.

More than 135 cancer survivors were in attendance at this year’s Relay. A social and survivor lap brought these fighters into the Relay spotlight. Mike Gorman was among the survivors leading the charge, proudly carrying the survivor flag around the track for hours.

The Relay didn’t even slow when the sun went down Friday night.

Kaser said the Relay organizers worked to make the poignant luminaria ceremony even more reverent. This year, instead of reciting names of cancer victims to be remembered, the names were projected in a scrolling image on a screen.

“It was amazing and had so much more impact,” Kaser said. “We had so many people sit in the bleacher area and listen to every single name.”

And if the scroll of names didn’t bring tears to people’s eyes, the song and prayer that followed surely did.

“It was one of the most powerful moments of the weekend,” Kaser said.

Following the pause for remembrance and reflection the Relay continued at a steady pace.

“Everyone kept going all night,” Kaser said. “It’s been years since I’ve seen that many people on the track all night.”

The Mr. Relay contest, with its cross-dressing antics, brought a boost of laughter and added steam to help people get over the midnight hump. Andy Parker strolled his way to the crown in this contest.

With cameras flashing everywhere one could guess that Parker would be a little shy of sharing this femine look, but that wasn’t the case.

“I’m not embarrassed, it’s for a good cause,” Parker said to a pal.

Martin Clark, a dentist on base, finished his 300th lap just as closing ceremonies commenced. His arm was covered in ink hash marks calculating his miles walked.

Kaser called the event “very successful” but added that even though the tents are put away and all the tired feet are recovering, the Relay is far from over. The final donation check to the American Cancer Society won’t be written until Aug. 31, so people can still help raise money for the fight against cancer until mid-August.