Kern County’s annual 24-Hour Relay Challenge took place at Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium on April 16-17.

Twenty-four school teams and 12 community teams participated. Each team was composed of 10 participants, a school adviser and a chaperone. Each participant walks or runs one mile per turn.

Opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m. as all of the participating teams gathered together and walked the track in unison. Every team had its own banner and represented their school.

The main focus this weekend was completing the relay challenge, but most importantly spending a weekend among peers.

The event promotes alcohol and drug free awareness.

While team members walked or ran their turns on the track, other teammates enjoyed the various all-day activities, such as volleyball, water balloon toss, cookie eating contests, karaoke, Frisbee, fear factor, T-shirt decorating booths and band performances.

Every year there is a relay theme. “This year’s theme was G-rated movies,” said Adrienne Buckle, Kern County Prevention Services coordinator.

Teams were encouraged to participate by dressing up in costumes or decorating their campsites. Some of the teams chose “Star Wars,” “Shark Tale” and “Shrek” themes.

Richard Rodriguez, 60, Shark Tales team adviser, dressed in a shark suit and could be seen throughout the track attempting to devour other runners.

Rodriguez has been participating in the relay for the past four years, and he has never failed to amuse participants with his humor and great taste in costumes. The first year he dressed as a turtle. The second year he dressed as an old woman. The third year he dressed as Superman, and this year he dressed as a shark. His devout participation is impressive, but Rodriguez begs to differ.

“What is most impressive of this relay is the reason behind it. FNL brings healthy, wholesome people together to raise money for a good cause,” said Rodriguez. FNL stands for Friday Night Live, which helps organize the event.

Several teams have been involved since the relay first began.

Dave Hanley, Highland High biology teacher, has been involved in the relay challenge since it first began. Hanley said he first got involved when he contributed the idea of having one runner complete a mile per turn. Ever since then, he has committed to this event.

Hanley has also implemented an incentive at his school for any senior who completes the relay challenge. The reward: grad-nite ticket paid for.

David Taylor, Hall Ambulance director, has also been participating in the annual relay for the past 14 years. He and his group provide the relay with an ambulance and first-aid in case of an emergency.

“Since this relay is a physical activity, the participants need coverage and we have been providing it for quite some time now,” Taylor said.

The planning and organization for the event take a lot time. Each year, preparations begin in October and are finalized by a committee and Friday Night Live.

“The committee consists of eight people who meet once a month and more often as the relay date approaches,” Buckle said.

Meals are provided by Kern County Firefighters. Phil Hart, fire engineer and Max Martinez, food coordinator, operate a mobile kitchen, which can feed approximately 500 people per hour.

Hart and Martinez said they contribute to the relay because it is a positive way of influencing young people.

A group that was greatly missed this year was the National Guard. Last year they provided a tank, but this year the tank was not present because it is currently serving in Iraq, Buckle said.

“Having the tank here was neat because students as well as children got a chance to see and sit inside of the tank,” said Norris Truman, Delano High counselor.

However, students were invited to sign relay shirts to be sent to Tony Garcia, Kern County firefighter, and Michael Payne, a National Guardsman. Both are FNL members currently serving in Iraq.

After enduring an entire 24-hour period without rest and sleep, concluding ceremonies took place. All teams gathered once again in unison to walk the final lap. Awards were given for the best decorated campsite, team with the most raised funds and most inspirational male and female.

All proceeds raised benefit Friday Night Live, Club Live and various Peer Helping programs that benefit youth involvement in Kern County middle and high schools.

“For many schools this is the only way to raise money to contribute to alcohol and drug free awareness,” Buckle said.