There were toddlers being pushed in strollers, kids, teens and adults, young and old. They all walked for a common goal, to raise money for cancer research.
They belonged to one of 108 teams spread around an infield turned into a multicolored forest of tents.
Every school in the Berkeley County School District fielded a team. Many area churches did, as did social, veteran and civic organizations. Area businesses formed teams.
The relay is the annual celebration for all the teams and volunteers who raise money from Sept. 1 through the following Aug. 31. They raise money through pledges at the relay and by holding fundraisers.
"This is a year-round effort," said Missy Elkins, relay chairperson. "Last year, we raised $318,000."
The Heroes Support Group, compiled of survivors and caregivers, has raised $11,000 so far this year, said Manor, a member of that organization.
"Cancer changed my life," she said, but not until she got into a support group. "Before that, I was very shy. I never got involved in anything."
She is the Berkeley County coordinator of Reach to Recovery, a support group that reaches out to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Teams try to reach their goal by relay day although they still have nearly three more months to do so.
Barbara Henry of Martinsburg, community manager for Berkeley and Jefferson counties and Shepherd University, for the American Cancer Society, said the majority of the money raised goes into research.
The "Memory Board," a large sign listing the names of hundreds of cancer victims, surviving family members and caregivers, was prominently displayed in front of the bleachers. Luminarias were lighted after dark. It's part of every Relay for Life weekend, Manor said.
Rosemont Elementary School's team has 28 members, said Judy Pugh, a first-grade teacher in the school. A large remembrance sign leaned in front of their tent. On it were the names of 48 cancer victims who were and are family members or friends of Rosemont employees. One name, highlighted by a photo, was Jill Clohan, a Rosemont teacher who succumbed to cancer this year. She was 59.
