Teams were pacing themselves in the first few hours and taking easy steps under the glare of the Saturday sun as bands from the region kept the energy high with live entertainment.

Cancer survivors and carers were surrounded by a community of walkers some dressed as smurfs and others in brightly coloured tutus for the 24-hour fundraiser.

The "Life's a Beach" team made up of Merici College students were taking turns to cool off in an impressive blow-up paddling pool.

Marquees lined the oval and provided much-needed shelter and rest for those taking on the 24-hour Cancer Council event.

Jan Quane joined the Queanbeyan Sing Australia team for the walk, a group which raised more than $3000 to combat cancer.

"Its exhausting," she said. "It's very emotional, but not only for us, we all know other people going through cancer now or have lost somebody."

Mrs Quane battled breast cancer and has been in remission for the past two years.

"Its all gone now for me," she said.

"We have another walker who has had 21 years one since her last treatment, which is great."

Megan Clark and her daughters Olivia, 14 and Taylor, 9 were clad in country and western smurfette ensembles.

Her team were handing out string for walkers to thread beads on to each time they completed a loop around the oval.

"It's hard to keep track after so many loops around," she said. "It's a bit of fun and people are enjoying it."

The Clark family have made the Queanbeyan Relay for Life an annual tradition and a time to reflect on the tough years when Megan's husband Matt battled prostate cancer.

Margie Burk and her daughter Tessa, 12, passed the hours chatting as they walked.

The Bungendore mother and daughter had a trove of essential ingredients they said were necessary to get through the event.

"You need good shoes, lots of water, fruit, and of course lollies," Tessa said.

A contingent of nurses from Queanbeyan Hospital formed the "IV pole dancers" team.

Lucy King has cared for cancer patients and witnessed the toll it took on families.

"I think we all have somebody who has been affected by cancer," she said.

"There are lots of people that have made it, others that have succumbed to cancer, and there are those who have won.

"We are just doing our little bit to help."

The 24-hour event runs until 10am Sunday.