By SUSAN PARK

About 200 people walked, jogged, ran, joked, danced, slept, ate, paraded, and scooted their way around Roosevelt High School's track over the weekend of June 4th and 5th. The event raised $155,000 locally for the American Cancer Society.

Tents covered the field. Participants braved the chilly, windy, wet weather to stay overnight and keep a member of their team on the track at all times during the 24 hour race.

A survivor's walk opened the ceremony. D.J. Leslie took music requests and provided amplified music to keep up spirits.

At about 9:30 pm after the late northern sun had finally set, a special Luminary Ceremony was held. Survivor's read poetry, told of their experiences, and listened to inspirational songs. Hundreds of hand-decorated white paper bags filled with candles were lit as a symbol of all of the loved ones lost to cancer.

Microsoft employee and sculptor, Daniel Robbins, created a metal luminary torch from aluminum, copper, and laser-cut stainless steel to lead the event.

Seattle School Superintendent Joseph Olchefske lit a luminary for John Stanford and then led a march around the track.

Six Degrees of Green Lake provided hot soup on Friday night and became the most popular tent-stop on the track. Meanwhile, members of the team slept in sleeping bags in preparation of their own stint.

The Outback Steak House on Aurora Avenue grilled a hearty lunch on Saturday.

Polaris of Fremont also provided a team as well as energetic volunteers. Employee Kim Gorsuch co-chaired the event.

Other local teams included Northwest Hospital, Swedish Hospital in Ballard, and a Ravenna neighborhood team, "Veni Vidi Vici."

University of Washington Sorority Gamma Phi Beta made the event a year-long project raising money to sponsor a team. Student Amy Parker said that cancer had touched the sorority when a member of the executive council passed away. Parker said she was moved by the survivor's walk when twenty children under four years old participated. "...teeny tiny kids, It really broke my heart."

Survivor Christine Shannon of Mercer Island encouraged the crowd with these words of hope: "There is in the heart of every person a survivor that is unconquered and unconquerable."