4:42 a.m.
Here are a bunch more photos that have been taken this evening. Once we reach 5 a.m., we'll likely start breaking things down and packing things up.
But the relay itself doesn't end until 7 a.m., just before the the USA-England World Cup Match, for all you soccer fans out there.
While I'd like to watch the match, something tells me 24 hours is about all my body's going to give me. I'll be catching up on World Cup scores when I wake up.
Kate Baringer, 18, Lawrence, paints a cat on the face of Mary Kate Ramizer, 4, Lawrence, during Relay For Life of Douglas County held Friday, June 11, 2010, at the Free State High School track. A kids area was set up at the north end of the track that included face painting, cake walk, and a ring toss game. by unknown
Deborah Bredehoft, left, and Tim Bredehoft, both of Lawrence, look at luminarias during Relay For Life of Douglas County held Friday, June 11, 2010, at the Free State High School track. They were walking in honor of Tim's mother. by unknown
Jessie Lanzrath, left, and Baylee Parsons, from Topeka, light luminarias during the Relay For Life event. The luminarias honor people who have fought cancer.
Luminarias lined the track at Free State High School during Relay For Life of Douglas County.
Drew Beets, left, and Stacey Peterson, both of Lawrence, prepare luminaries before the start of Relay For Life. by unknown
Cancer survivors gather at the south end of the Free State High School track in preparation for the “Survivor Lap” at the Relay For Life event on Friday. The survivors take the first lap around the track to kick off the all-night relay.
1:40 a.m.
As we approach the 2 p.m. hour, several people have asked whether the all night crowd might be smaller than in years past.
There were more teams than ever before, but fewer people seem committed to staying throughout the night. If you're still up, feel free to come down and join us for a few laps.
Mark Fagan just showed up. He'll be keeping Karrey and I company as we Relay through the night.
Here are some scenes from the night so far (all these are by Karrey Britt):
Bosom Buddies support group walks the survivor lap by jkealing
Ceremonies go on at the Douglas County Relay for Life by jkealing
The relay sign is completely lit by jkealing
H-O-P-E is spelled out using tealights and cups on a Free State High School fence by jkealing
11:20 p.m.
We've been relaying for more than four hours now and we're down to a hardy few.
We just completed the luminary lighting ceremony, which you can see above.
We're here until 7 a.m. We'd love to have you come out and walk a lap or two with us. -- Jonathan
8:55 p.m.
Well, we're two hours in and the track is still full with people walking around.
Team members at the Douglas County Relay for Life by jkealing
My wife is on her way out and the two of us are going to do a number of laps for our family members who have lost the battle with cancer.
If you can, we'd love to have you come out here and join us as we walk around the track.
[Karrey Britt][3] and [I][4] will be here all night long — until 7 a.m. So even if you don't see this until much later tonight, we'd love to see you come on out! -- [Jonathan][5]
7:40 p.m.
Over 250 survivors started the Relay For Life about 30 minutes ago. It was a powerful and emotional moment to see such a large group of people who have fought - and beaten - cancer together take that lap.
Our team took their debut lap, too. Nice hats, guys!
Cancer survivors of more than 20 years start their lap at the Relay For Life of Douglas County. by Whitney Mathews
Cancer survivors take their lap at the Relay For Life of Douglas County.
Cancer survivors take their lap at the Relay For Life of Douglas County. by Whitney Mathews
The Knights of Columbus present the color guard at the Relay For Life of Douglas County. by Whitney Mathews
Our team, "We Are The World (Co.)", makes their first lap at the Relay For Life of Douglas County. From left to right, Jonathan Kealing, Cody Howard, Christine Metz and Karrey Britt. Obscured are Theresa Freed and her husband, Larry Barnes. by Whitney Mathews
6:33 p.m.
We're just a few minutes away from the opening ceremony. Cancer survivors are lining up at the south end of the track for their lap. A few more members of the World Company team ([Karrey Britt][6] and [Christine Metz][7]) have arrived, too. Below are some more photos. -- [Whitney][8]
The fence at the north end of the track at Free State High School is decorated for the Relay For Life. by Whitney Mathews
Luminaries line the track at Free State High School. Volunteers and participants will light the luminaries around dusk. by Whitney Mathews
Kids play games on the north end of the track at the Relay For Life at Free State High School. by Whitney Mathews
The opening ceremonies at Relay For Life will be held under this balloon arc on the west side of the Free State High School track. by Whitney Mathews
Relay For Life teams relax before the event starts at Free State High School. by Whitney Mathews
Luminaries display messages for those who have battled cancer at the Relay For Life at Free State High School. by Whitney Mathews
6:02 p.m.
Did you know it's hot outside? It is. But teams are beginning to fill up the track area at Free State High School and the energy is building. Good news: We finally got the WellCommons.com sign put together!
The WellCommons banner on display at our table was our first challenge. It took seven people -- three of them under the age of 13 -- to put this sign together. by Whitney Mathews
As a first-time attendee at Relay For Life, I'm learning a lot about the event itself. These luminaries each represent a person who has lost their battle with cancer, and will be lighted later this evening. -- [Whitney][7]
Luminaries lining the inside of the Free State High School track will be lighted at dusk. Each luminary represents a person who has lost their battle with cancer. Canned goods that weigh down the luminaries will be donated to local food pantries and the Lawrence Humane Society. by Whitney Mathews
5:40 p.m.
With just 80 minutes to go until Relay for Life of Douglas County gets started, the groups are starting to arrive, the booths are setting up and the event is starting to take shape.
It all gets started at 7 p.m. with the survivor lap, followed by the team lap.
Cancer survivors will line up at these signs before they take the "survivors lap" at 7 p.m. by Whitney Mathews
WellCommons is here, with water, bananas and granola bars to reward anyone who turns out.
WellCommons.com employee Alice Brewer and her son, Blaise, attempt to put together our sign. How many people does it take to put together this sign? At least seven. Yikes. by Whitney Mathews
Tagged: relay for life, wellcommons, wellness, cancer
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