At the end of the 24-hour period, participants in UK’s ninth annual DanceBlue marathon were thrilled to learn that the event raised $1,436,606.24. The event kicked off at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Memorial Coliseum, and wrapped up at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

For the first two hours of the 24-hour marathon, dancers learned the rules and started to memorize the ten minute line dance.

The line dance is performed every hour on the hour and during the breaks, dancers are unable to sit down or sleep.

Members of the football team stopped by at around 4 p.m., and checks from the Federal Credit Union and Coca-Cola for $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, were presented to DanceBlue around the same time.

The AcoUstiKats performed “Wake Me Up” and “My Old Kentucky Home” for the dancers.

One musical group, 64 West, returned to DanceBlue for a third time, having performed at the very first DanceBlue.

Checks for thousands of dollars were presented throughout the evening from donors like UK Athletics and Keeneland.

Students from E.J. Hayes Middle School presented a check for $5,000 that they raised with their own mini dance marathon.

Players from the UK men’s basketball team visited the marathon to show their support after their win against Louisiana State University.

With about five hours remaining, Lexington Catholic High School donated a check for $68,000, doubling their total from last year. Lexington Catholic was the site of the original mini-DanceBlue marathon.

Children from the hospital danced, sang and showed off their skills in the hour-long talent show Sunday morning.

The tone of the marathon became more somber at the start of memorial hour, which honors all of the patients of the Children’s Hospital who have died.

Spirits were lifted at the announcement of the grand total and the winner of the Golden Matrix award, which went to Delta Zeta.