Students dance to the tune of $70,501

They participated in the 26.2-hour dance marathon to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation

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University of Utah student volunteers raised $70,501 in a dance marathon that ended Saturday evening.

The funds will benefit the Huntsman Cancer Foundation for cancer research. About 100 dancers participated in the 26.2-hour "Rock the U" marathon, held in the Union Building at the university. It ran from 7 p.m. Friday to 9:12 p.m. Saturday.

The marathon was first held last year and raised more than $93,000. Organizers had been shooting to raise $200,000 this year. Participants had to have a minimum $200 pledge for the charity event.

Kencee Graves, one of the volunteer organizers and a second-year medical student, was pleased with the outcome.

"We had some incredible dancers that maintained their high level of energy and were dedicated to fighting cancer," she said. "I couldn't have asked for it to go better."

There were no medical incidents during the lengthy fundraiser. "We had some blisters. We had some tired legs, but no major injuries," Graves said.