For Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Betty Chiu Deirdre Blackburn
ALSAC/St. Jude ALSAC/St. Jude
National Executive Office National Executive Office
(901) 578-2334 (901) 578-2341
betty.chiu@stjude.org deirdre.blackburn@stjude.org
'St. Jude Runners' team offers St. Jude Memphis Marathon,
Half Marathon participants opportunity to 'run for a reason'
MEMPHIS, TENN. (August 15, 2002) Runners looking to make a difference in
the life of a child may join the "St. Jude Runners" team to help raise
money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital during the St. Jude
Memphis Marathon and Half Marathon on Dec. 7. St. Jude, one of the
leading pediatric cancer research centers in the world, is the beneficiary
of the marathon.
Anyone planning to participate in the marathon or half marathon may sign
up to become a St. Jude Runner. As a member, each person is encouraged to
obtain sponsors from friends, family and business colleagues. Members will
receive materials to help with their fund raising and training and
information on workshop opportunities. Award incentives are offered to
those who raise at least $250. Awards for reaching various fund-raising
levels include a St. Jude Runner singlet, an invitation to a private party
at Elvis Presley's Graceland, free airfare and hotel accommodations, gift
certificates and merchandise.
Many who have registered for the marathon have already committed to raise
money through the St. Jude Runners program. One 20-year-old is running in
honor of her 15-year-old sister, who is a St. Jude patient.
"Running a marathon is nothing compared to what the children at St. Jude
face," said Crystal Atwell, whose sister, Katelyn, was treated at St. Jude
for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. "They run marathons everyday with what
they have to deal with."
Crystal had witnessed her younger sister walk in the Time Warner Road
Runner Firecracker 5K Run for St. Jude on July 3, and she knew immediately
that she would participate in the St. Jude marathon. Participating in the
walk was a triumph for Katelyn, who had been wheelchair-bound for several
months.
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on
Saturday, Dec. 7 with an 8 a.m. race start. Marathoners and half
marathoners will begin in downtown Memphis near the Peabody Hotel. The
course passes many of Memphis' main attractions including the Rock 'n'
Soul Museum, The Pyramid, the Memphis Zoo and Sun Studio, all within
downtown and Midtown Memphis. Participants will finish at AutoZone Park,
the home of Memphis' AAA baseball team, the Redbirds. A 13.1-mile half
marathon is a new addition to this year's marathon activities to
accommodate runners of all levels. A total of $50,000 will be awarded to
top finishers in 29 categories, including open, masters and age divisions.
The marathon is a Boston marathon qualifier.
An expo will be held Dec. 6 and 7 during which marathon participants and
the public will have the opportunity to receive product information and
free samples from national and local exhibitors. Soul legend Al Green,
along with North Mississippi Allstars, will provide entertainment during
the post-race party the evening of the race.
The entry fees are $60 for the marathon and $35 for the half marathon
before Oct. 1 and $70 and $45, respectively, for entries received after
Oct. 1. Individual tickets to the pasta party and post-race party are also
available. For more information on the St. Jude Memphis Marathon or to
sign up with the St. Jude Runners team, please visit www.stjudemarthon.org
or call 888-401-7252.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded
by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. The hospital is an internationally
recognized biomedical research center dedicated to finding cures for
cancer and other catastrophic diseases of childhood. The hospital's work
is supported through funds raised by ALSAC. ALSAC covers all costs not
covered by insurance for medical treatment rendered at St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital. Families without insurance are never asked to pay. For
more information, please visit www.stjude.org.
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