Nature has had four attempts at shutting down the Northland Cancer Society Relay for Life in Whangarei with cyclones.
But despite raging winds and rain, relay participants have kept walking, their spirits unbowed by the bad conditions.
Saturday's ninth annual Relay for Life at the new ASB Sports Arena athletics track at Kensington was typical.
Northland Cancer Society manager Margaret Curry said people were smiling, dancing and walking in "appalling" squally showers, which started when teams led by cancer survivors got on the track at noon.
"There was constant drizzle all afternoon. We didn't finish until 9pm and there were people on the track all the time, it was awesome," said Ms Curry, who has been with the Cancer Society for 14 years.