Participants were pleased with the turnout for the 2015 Knoxville Cancer Relay.

A couple hundred people turned out for their kick-off party Thursday to show support for the runners. The Knoxville High School cross country team was among those who joined the runners overnight as they made their 5-mile loops around the city beginning at the top of every hour.

The event has special meaning to all those who participate, including runner Will Buttell. He participated because his mother passed away from cancer 10 years ago and his 8-year-old daughter is a cancer survivor, after being diagnosed when she was 2.

Knoxville Coaches vs Cancer organizer Jim Uitermarkt says the Knoxville Cancer Relay has been a wonderful addition to their cause and will likely bring in over $10,000 again this year.

The KNIA/KRLS Big Red Radio was on hand to provide music and make announcements.

The Knoxville Cancer Relay team will officially announce the amount they raised during the Knoxville Coaches vs Cancer event in January.

Video of the Knoxville Cancer Relay team entering Ken Locke Stadium is available here.