People will be making tracks at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center this Sunday to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life.

The money raised goes to the American Cancer Society for research projects, education and county patient services, and most of the money stays in Story County for various cancer programs, said Kara Grigges of the Midwest division of the American Cancer Society. The event will be held from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the recreation center.

Relay for Life was started in Washington in the late 1970s by one man who raised thousands of dollars, Grigges said. Since then, it has been the American Cancer Society’s signature event.

This will be the seventh year it has been held at Iowa State, said Ron Skrdla, campus co-chairman for Relay for Life.

“There are about 65 Relay for Lifes held around the state. Most of them are held outdoors in the summer,” he said. “What makes Iowa State so special is that it is one of seven that is held indoors during the winter.”

The Story County Relay for Life is dedicated to Peg Neppel Darrah, a world-class runner at ISU during the late ’70s.

Neppel Darrah had many great accomplishments, including world records in the three mile, 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter running events. She was a graduate student at ISU in animal science and died of cancer in 1981 while working on her doctorate.

“Her friendliness and good spirit are why we honor her in this event,” Skrdla said.

Relay for Life allows teams of up to 16 people to run, jog or walk in half-hour blocks of time throughout the eight-hour fund-raising marathon. Those who want to participate but do not have teams can be on “Peggy’s Team.”

Participants do not have to stay for the entire event, Grigges said.

“If someone is there at 6, they aren’t expected to stay until 2,” she said. “They just need to be there for their half-hour shift.”

There will be door prizes and various other prizes for teams that raise certain amounts of money, Skrdla said. There will also be prizes for the team showing the most spirit and teams completing the most laps.

Grigges said the entire recreation center will not be closed for this event. The upstairs fitness center will be open, but the downstairs track and athletic courts will be occupied by Relay for Life.

There will be entertainment and educational displays as well, she said. Entertainment includes the ISU Drumline, the Ames Middle School Jazz Band, a brass band from one of the area churches and clowns. Honorary co-chairs Kevin and Mollie Cooney from KCCI-TV8 in Des Moines will be there later in the day, Grigges said.

She said day care will also be available near the relay area for participants who bring their children to watch.

“There will be a putting area and a milk mustache contest featured also,” she said.

People may still sign up to participate, and volunteers also are needed to help with food, registration, day care and various other positions. Those interested can drop by on Sunday or contact Skrdla at 233-3359, or Joe Colletti, campus co-chairman of Relay for Life, at 292-9182.

For those who don’t want to run or walk, Grigges said the American Cancer Society will accept any donations.