After hundreds of people turned out for Chilton County’s 2014 Relay For Life on April 26, organizers paused to evaluate the event as efforts to raise more money for cancer research continue.

To date, the total amount of money raised for the American Cancer Society by local individuals, teams and sponsorships is $122,000.

“So far, our total is about $122,000, but we haven’t received every team’s money yet,” Relay Chairwoman Courtney Brock said. “We have until Aug. 31 to continue our fundraising efforts for this Relay season.”

The Chilton County Relay For Life fundraising goal this year is $152,000.

One of the most significant changes to this year’s 12-hour event was that it was held from noon to midnight on Saturday instead of 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

“I think that overall it was a success,” Brock said. “We have some kinks to work out, but it was new for all of us, and we know what we need to work on now.

“The crowd, for the most part, leaves after the luminaria ceremony no matter what time the event is. We had a steady crowd for the whole 12 hours this year versus a large crowd for the first four or so hours in the past.”

Brock said she thinks next year’s Relay will be from noon to midnight, too.

“I have asked my fellow committee members to make a list of likes and dislikes, and we will have a wrap-up meeting in a couple of weeks to discuss everything,” Brock said. “I also don’t think we should decide totally against it after just one try at it. It takes people a little while to adjust to change.”

Forty-four registered teams participated in Relay this year.

The 2014 Spirit of Relay recipients included:

•Spirit of Relay Campsite – Royalty for a Reason (Peach Queens)

•Spirit of Relay Team – SouthernCare Hospice

•Spirit of Relay T-shirt – Cure Crusaders

•Spirit of Relay Youth Team – Kids for a Cure

The Spirit of Relay Top Online Fundraising Individual and Spirit of Relay Top Online Fundraising Team haven’t been announced.

The 2014 Chilton County Relay For Life Awards recipients included:

•Top Fundraising Church Team – Mineral Springs Baptist Church

•Top Fundraising Business Team – Johnson Controls

•Top Fundraising School Team – Clanton Intermediate School

•Top Fundraising New Team – West End Baptist Church

•Top Overall Fundraising Team – Mineral Springs Baptist Church

•Relay Idol winner – Hannah Tierce