The event had been scheduled to go ahead at the end of October to tie in with Halloween, which was due to be the theme for the relay.

However, with uncertainty surrounding the virus and what this means for large crowd gatherings, the decision has been made by the Cancer Council in Wagga not to go ahead with the Leeton event in 2020.

Typically, the relay is held on a biennial basis in the shire.

However, with 2020 now a no go, organisers here in Leeton are hoping they may be able to set a date for next year.

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"We're hoping we might be able to hold the event at the same time (end of October) next year," chief Leeton organiser Grace Capaldi said.

"That way we can still have our Halloween theme.

"We wanted to have it next year otherwise it would be too long before the next one is held, so hopefully that is what happens."

Many events in Leeton shire have had to be cancelled as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

This has included everything from the Leeton SunRice Festival and Australian Art Deco Festival to smaller fundraisers and sporting competitions not being played in 2020.

While organisers would have loved to have the event go ahead, they are all too aware why it is so important for everyone's health and safety to be at the forefront.

Many of those who have cancer or have had cancer are often seen participating in Relay for Life, so with these people considered 'at risk' during the pandemic, it was paramount their safety came first.

Ms Capaldi said there had been plenty of interest in this year's event in Leeton, but thankfully teams had yet to register or start fundraising, making the decision to cancel slightly easier.

"We've all been affected by cancer, whether it's ourselves or someone we know, that's why we have these events," she said.

"Hopefully we can just start over again next year."