The 15th annual Renton Relay for Life began Friday night with a handful of speeches and then the traditional and emotional survivor and caregiver laps, before walkers settled into a routine for the 18-hour event.

This year’s event also featured a new “Hero’s Lap,” that brought firefighters, police and active military to the track.

At this year’s Relay, to support a cancer survivor within their ranks, the firefighters who walked did so in full gear.

Thirty-six teams participated in Relay this year with a goal of raising $98,000.

Photos by Brian Beckley