The relay will be held at Ulladulla’s Lighthouse Oval instead of the Milton Showground.

The soggy conditions also mean the relay will not be run over the full 24 hour period, but will instead be held from 10am until 8pm on Saturday only.

Event coordinator Caz Boland said the change in time and venue had to be made at the eleventh hour.

She said the committee did not consider postponing the Cancer Council event for the second time this year after it was called off in March due to wet weather.

Caz has encouraged teams and members of the public to embrace the change and bring the relay vibe to the Lighthouse Oval on Saturday where more than 500 participants hoped to reach the $90,000 fundraising goal.

“While it will be only one day, we have a full program of events and hope people will continue to support the relay,” she said.

“It’s still a chance for everyone to get together, remember, share stories and raise money for the Cancer Council.”

One of the relayers, Dr Mary Ambrose, was planning to walk non-stop during the entire 24-hour event and, while she was disappointed she would be on the track for only 10 hours, said she was still looking forward to taking part.

As a doctor she had a close association with many people in the community who have battled cancer or lost loved ones, and said losing her father to cancer 25 years ago helped her sympathise with people in their time of need.

“I will be walking the Relay for Life this weekend remembering my father and all of my patients that I have been privileged to care for,” Dr Ambrose said.

“My father still remains the role model for which I have justified my existence.”

As a general practitioner at the Milton Lighthouse Medical Practice, Dr Ambrose has experienced her fair share of the trials and tribulations of cancer.

“I have screened for it, diagnosed it, given the diagnosis to the patient, referred to specialists, treated it, cared for it, stepped up the ante with palliative care and attended far too many funerals,” she said.

“I have also rejoiced with patients who have achieved remission, some of those against all odds.”

Dr Ambrose said she had seen people push their limits “beyond human capacity” during their struggle with treatment.

“The euphoria of improvement justifies the physical and mental torment of treatment that extends one beyond what they ever thought they were capable of,” she said.

Dr Ambrose will be walking for the Royal Australian Navy team because her beliefs of “extending herself beyond physical and mental capacity match the team”.

“I plan to walk continuously because I want to emulate what my father and patients have had to endure.

“I walk emotionally charged and thinking of all of you and hoping that this walk will be in some way, in some small capacity, a return of thanks for being so very brave.”

With the change of venue and no camping permitted, Caz is encouraging participants to bring a gazebo or a tent and set up for the day and still have their stalls.

“There will be allocated spots for everyone just like at the showground,” she said.

“Bacon and egg rolls will be available on Saturday morning from 6.30am, along with lunch and dinner and the coffee van will be there as well as woodfired pizza. 

“If everyone could be set up by 8.30am that would be great, with the opening ceremony to start at 9am and the first lap at 10am.”

Caz said a host of live entertainment and activities would be available through the day and reminded people that no pets, no glass and no gas bottles were permitted on site.

There will be no power available at the oval.