The event, at W.J. Findlay Reserve, attracted about 70 teams comprising more than 1500 participants.

Publicity co-ordinator Di Farmer said the fundraiser’s success had been beyond the organisers’ wildest dreams.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” she said.

“We just couldn’t believe it when they read out the final tally — there were cheers from the crowd, yelling and screaming.”

Mrs Farmer said it had been hoped the event, which raises money for the Cancer Council, would have attracted about 30 teams and generated about $45,000 but it proved popular with all ages.

“It was fabulous — we had babies in prams all the way through to elderly couples just having a go, which is what we want,” she said.

“It was just a spectacular field of purple T-shirts, it was unreal to look at them.”

Mrs Farmer said the event would be back again next year.

“It will definitely — there has been people wanting to book in already,” she said.