Suffolk’s HeartChase fundraiser for the American Heart Association was the No. 1 such event on the East Coast this year, the association has announced.

The event turned up No. 4 in the nation — up from ninth last year — and increased its fundraising about 70 percent, from $30,100 last year to $51,025 this year, HeartChase Director Ryan Holloway said this week.

“We had more sponsors this year, but most of our growth came because of Suffolk teams that raised significantly more money than they have in previous years,” Holloway said.

There were also more teams, Holloway said — 74 teams this year compared to 50 last year.

“We’d love to grow to be the top event in the whole country, and we’re close to that mark already,” Holloway said.

The relatively new event from the American Heart Association aims to involve folks who don’t participate in traditional fundraisers, as well as those in more rural areas, Holloway said. This year’s was the third annual HeartChase held in Suffolk.

Chasers form teams and participate in a scavenger hunt-like event that has them walking more than two miles. Along the way, they hit checkpoints that teach them about the prevention of heart disease and help them learn about local businesses sponsoring the checkpoints. They use a smartphone app to check in at the checkpoints and to find hidden points along the way.

This year’s top fundraising team was led by Mayor Linda T. Johnson, who also spearheaded a new effort to get more corporate teams involved. The team that won the chase was Hearts and Clouds from Tek Systems, an IT staffing company in Chesapeake.

Jim Bonner, general manager of QVC’s Suffolk Distribution Center, was the 2015 executive chair for the event. Holloway said he is already is seeking next year’s chair.

“HeartChase will be returning in the spring of 2016,” he said.