MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2017 – On Saturday, Dec. 2, 25,000 participants and 40,000 spectators from across the U.S. gathered for the 16th annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend presented by Juice Plus+® and raised $10.3 million for the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.
Full marathoners Chris Raulli of Manlius, New York, and Kayla Brown of Edwardsville, Ill., are the top male and female finishers of this year’s St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend with winning times of 2:33:36 and 2:55:47, respectively.
The top male half-marathoner, Keith Meyer of Edwardsville, Ill., finished with a time of 1:10:05, and top female half-marathoner, Barbara Lee Ball of Nashville, Tenn., finished with a time of 1:18:13. John Payne of Germantown, Tenn. finished with a time of 1:23:27 in the wheelchair half marathon.
Alden Dixon of Memphis, Tenn. crossed the 10K finish line first with a time of 34:49. Joanne Roberts of Jonesboro, Ark. finished the 10K with a time of 40:24. Garrett Wilson of Mayfield, Ky. and Ellen Feringa of Charleston, S.C. are the top male and female finishers of the 5K with winning times of 17:08 and 18:46, respectively.
St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Funds raised through events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
“Every year, I am astounded by the support for St. Jude shown by our volunteers, sponsors, partners and St. Jude Heroes, and their commitment and extraordinary efforts resulted in a record-setting year,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Congratulations to our top finishers Chris Raulli and Kayla Brown, and to all St. Jude Heroes and their supporters who helped raise $10.3 million to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.”
Over the last 15 years, participants running as St. Jude Heroes have joined the fight against childhood cancer and raised more than $60 million to support the St. Jude mission: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Last year alone, the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend raised more than $10 million, and created strong awareness for the St. Jude Heroes program. St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is one of only two major marathons owned and operated by a not for profit and where the funds raised go to a single charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Official sponsor Landers Ford left a memorable impression by wrapping a vehicle with the names of this year’s St. Jude Heroes. Those who registered to participate in the races in the month of May were also registered to win a 2017 Ford Explorer. At the start line, spokesperson Don Kitchens announced Amy Wilson as the winner of the 2017 Ford Explorer.
This event would not be possible without the support of St. Jude Heroes, approximately 4,000 volunteers, presenting sponsor Juice Plus+®, official sponsor Landers Ford, official partners Breakaway Running, Memphis Runners Track Club, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South and national St. Jude Heroes coach Kevin Leathers, among others.
Final race times for all participants will be available at stjude.org/marathon2017. Next year’s race will be held on Dec. 1, 2018.