The Marathon for a Better Life once again topped all expectations.
Teams of walkers circling the Champlin Hall parking lot at SUNY Cobleskill Saturday raised more than $115,000, with all of the proceeds going to Schoharie County cancer patients and their families.
The Marathon raised $119,000 last year, but this year's total was pretty close to that mark, Marathon President Cherie Stevens said.
"We thought last year was a once-in-a-lifetime thing," she said. "This year was wonderful, too. It was positive the whole day."
The teams, who have members walking from 10am to 9pm, bring in money they've collected; some have held fundraisers all year.
Marathon money provides funds for whatever cancer patients need: food, fuel, mortgage payments, utilities and more. The only requirements are that the person lives in Schoharie County and has cancer.
The Marathon served 150 people last year, each receiving an initial $1,000 to help.
Now in its 17th year, the Marathon has raised more than $1 million, Ms. Stevens announced on Saturday. That amount doesn't include a generous $300,000 donation made by the Galasso family several years ago.
Saturday's total raised the ante.
"It was a glorious day, a tribute to the hearts of Schoharie County," Ms. Stevens said. "We live in such a giving community."
The top three teams bringing in funds were:
•Beth's Golden Arches, more than $10,000.
•The A Team, $6,000.
•Wings of Hope, more than $5,000.
Individual leaders were Sue Makely, a Marathon board member, who brought in $3,292, and Anthony Stella, who collected almost $3,200.
Ms. Stevens pointed to Mr. Stella, who's a college student, and other young people who participated in the Marathon.
"They're wonderful," she said. "I look at kids as the future of the Marathon. They'll be the ones who carry it on forever."
She also believes that although the Marathon is held in Cobleskill every year, it involves the entire county.
There were more than 700 walkers and 250 business sponsors, along with families, churches and fire departments helping out.
"It's a whole county thing," Ms. Stevens said. "I'm still in awe of how wonderful everyone is."
Besides raising money, the Marathon also celebrates cancer survivors. As they do every year, survivors led the first walking lap, followed by an honor lap for caregivers.
Marathon directors also presented their annual Angel awards to helpers who go above and beyond in support. Receiving awards this year were Russell Marlow, Bill Trendell and John Sielaff.