The goal was to raise $1,000, but when the final numbers were added up at the Carmacks Wheelbarrel Association's first ever Annual Relay for Cancer, the total came to more than $4,300.

Eight teams participated in the relay and collected pledges from a number of communities in the Yukon.

"The relay went really well," said John Laughlin, the president of the Carmacks Wheelbarrel Association. "Everybody had a good time. It was enjoyable and the purpose of it was to raise the money and Carmacks citizens came through again."

All of the team's that participated in Saturday's relay were from Carmacks and the majority of them were made up of three people.

The event began around 10 a.m. and showcased the community as a whole with the course working in all of the streets in the village of Carmacks.

The weather at the event started off a little chilly in the morning, but gradually became warmer as the day progressed.

The participants pushing the wheelbarrow were adults, while people in the wheelbarrow had to be between the ages of five and12 years old.

Shoes also had to be worn by all participants in the relay, while the youth in the wheelbarrows were required to wear a helmet.

The course was approximately 12-km and will feature 10 checkpoints. The pushers switched off with their teammates at each checkpoint.

The relay began at the Carmacks' recreation centre and worked its way to Mewtwo Park where there was a mandatory 30 minute stop period.

After the mandatory stop at the park, participants then turned around and headed back to the the recreation centre, which concluded the relay.

Saturday's event wasn't timed and Laughlin said he didn't want the event to turn into a race.

There was also no entry fee to participate in the event and all of the proceeds were generated through pledges, an auction, a BBQ and a 50/50 draw.

The BBQ was held Saturday afternoon and raised around $120, while the auction brought in around $100.

Some of the items auctioned off included a bag with a gift certificate from Cal Tire,which was valued at $100, as well as a thermos and a hat.

Another gift bag included a number of different items donated by Toyota, including a coffee mug, a hat, a t-shirt. This assortment of items resulted in a bidding war between two ladies, which went to $30 before being sold.

Every member who took part in the event was given a T-shirt and a button.

Some of the events' sponsors included Ford, Toyota, Valid, Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation and Coca-Cola, who each donated T-shirts, prizes or supplies for the BBQ.

A trophy for the most pledges generated was also awarded at the event. The winning team brought in an incredible $1,120.

The Carmacks Wheelbarrel Association plans to hold a cheque presentation to the Canadian Cancer Society sometime this week or early next week.

An actual date hasn't been set yet because the association would like to collect all of the pledges first.

Laughlin said it is important to hold the cheque presentation in Carmacks.

"I want as many people that took part in it to be able to be there for the presentation and we are all going to wear our T-shirts," he said.

"Most of the money was brought forth through the community of Carmacks. I think it is very important that Carmacks gets recognized for that and people will start seeing Carmacks for what it really is.There's a lot of good that goes on around here.

Laughlin said the most encouraging thing was the involvement and that he is looking forward to holding the event again next year.

"We hope to see everybody again next year and we are hoping to see more teams from out of the community," he said. "We'll get more teams and this can get bigger and bigger."