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Were you one of the 631 participants in the 28 teams who spent 18 hours lapping the showground on Friday night?

Then you can pat yourself on the back and know you helped the 2012 Relay for Life committee raise $58,400.95 for the Cancer Council Victoria.

And that’s just the running tally with some teams still yet to finalise banking details.

Gallery: See more photos from the Benalla Relay for Life here.

Relay For Life chairperson Bernice Vance said she still struggles to put into words the incredible effort by this town.

“It blows me away,” Ms Vance said.

“To think a town the size of Benalla can raise $89,286 in two years is absolutely amazing.”

“I am still in shock, I just can’t believe it, but it is a tremendous outcome,” Ms Vance said.

Ms Vance said she is thrilled that so many people got behind the cause.

“I have people still telling me they heard how wonderful the event was last year and wanted to be involve this year, so hopefully we have a flow on effect next year,” Ms Vance said.

For the past two relays Ms Vance has been at the helm of a team of volunteers who gather each month to piece together the overnight event.

“When you watch you dad and husband go through it, you feel so passionately about it,” Ms Vance said.

“I encourage other people who are interested in participating in the event next year to get in touch,” she said. Last Friday night’s event incorporated a 17 hour challenge which saw teams nominate a representative to compete in a host of games from tugawar and tugaball as well a couple of Zumba classes.

The 17-hour challenge was taken out by Gumnuts Resort. Another competition running through the day was the most creative team baton which was won by the “Chinos” and best dressed team were “The Fairies Gone Bonkers.”

The Crazies were congratulated for their efforts in raising the most amount of money — in excess of $9000 and the Fairholme team was also congratulated raising over $5000.

“The enthusiasm and support were received was fantastic – I’m ecstatic with the amount raised,” Ms Vance said.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who supported the day,” she added.

Here’s to a bigger 2013!