Less than a month from the opening ceremonies, the Antioch/Pittsburg Relay For Life has already raised more than $35,000 for cancer research, but just like last year, a sizeable amount could come in as the event draws closer.

The 24-hour walkathon benefiting the American Cancer Society starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 on the Los Medanos College football practice field in Pittsburg. As of Tuesday, 67 teams comprising 385 dedicated participants have signed up, about on par with last year’s event.

“It’s going well,” event co-chair Amanda Roa said. “Things are a lot smoother this year.”

This is the second year Roa has coordinated the event with Monica Olson. According to Roa, last year’s online donations were less than anticipated. But coordinators were pleasantly surprised when donations on the day of the Relay nearly equaled what was already in the bank, bringing the 2010 total to more than $105,000.

“We thought we were really behind on fundraising,” Roa said. “The day of Relay was a surprise.”

Now that Roa and Olson have a year under their belts, they plan to move some things around to utilize LMC as an efficient Relay center.

The Antioch/Pittsburg relay has drawn several local talents to perform for the walkers, such as Azure Moon, Blue MoonShine, the Summerset Big Band and the Cellar Ratz. The event also features activities for kids, plus arts and crafts, movies, dancing and raffles. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Entertainment chair Louise Green has planned a dance party after the evening Luminaria Ceremony for those who want to move around – but not on the track. Some of the Relay’s special laps include a Miss Relay Pageant, a Road to Recovery Race, a Poker Lap, a Crazy Hat Lap, and a Pajama/Bad Hair/Teddy Bear Lap.

Teams have stepped up their efforts for this year’s Relay. So far, the 16-member Ground and Pound team has raised an event-high $4,430. The 13 members of Aunt Pink’s Panthers have raised $4,180 – $3,400 by team member Marcel Castanchoa. In third is Team Curves, whose 10 members have raised a little more than $4,000.

For more information or to register for this year’s event, visit www.relayforlife.org/antiochca.