The money is "still trickling in" from the weekend's Relay for Life event at Whangarei's Trigg Stadium but it is unlikely to crack last year's grand total of $103,000.
Still, Cancer Society Northland co-ordinator Natasha Judd is thrilled at the result so far - $74,000 and still counting. A record 46 teams - more than 650 participants - took part, among them more high school teams than usual, Ms Judd said.
"They really added to the event,' she said.
"They're an absolute delight to have. We were very impressed with their behaviour and willingness to join in."
Special mention should go to the largest student team, 32 pupils from Otamatea High School, a school which had already raised more than $2000 for the cause by holding a horse trek, she said.