Already more than 50 teams have registered for Oamaru's inaugural Relay for Life, the Cancer Society fundraising event to be held at Whitestone Contracting Centennial Park next month.
This will be the first time the event has been held in Oamaru, although it was introduced to New Zealand in 2001.
Sixteen events last year raised $2.6 million, and 17 are planned for this year, with a target of $3 million.
Oamaru event manager Janie Peck said the number of teams registered surpassed her expectations: "It's absolutely amazing."
More teams are expected to enter before the deadline on Friday.
The event, in which team members take turns at walking a circuit over a 24-hour period, goes from noon till noon on March 12-13.
Teams must have a minimum of 10 members, but no maximum.
Some big teams had been entered, Ms Peck said.
She estimated about 1000 people would take part in the Oamaru relay, plus supporters and spectators.
Teams had been entered by businesses, schools, industries, community organisations, government departments, sports clubs and families.
Teams raise money that goes to the society.
