17,000 runners take to Memphis streets to support St. Jude: 'It’s not just a race'

As Jessica Hooke ran through downtown Memphis, she thought about why the marathon's cause, raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is so important to her.

Now an Orlando resident, she used to live in Memphis and still has family here. She's heard the stories of St. Jude survivors and wants to do her part so more children can tell those stories, she said.

“Everyone deserves a chance for healing," she said. "Everyone deserves a chance to live. It’s giving, but you’re also receiving.”

This was Hooke's third time running with St. Jude. Her first, in 2019, was "beyond amazing." Her second, in 2020, was all virtual, a marathon she walked with friends and family despite hip issues.

This year, recovering from surgery, the member of the National Black Marathoner’s Association returned to Memphis to run once again.

Hooke was joined by around 17,000 people who ran or walked in person Saturday, with another 3,000 participating virtually. Runners came from all 50 states and 72 different countries.

They were united around a common cause: Raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated solely to children.

Saturday was the 20th St. Jude Memphis Marathon. Over the past two decades, the event has grown from a small, local fundraiser to an international event drawing thousands and raising millions.

Over the life of the race, it has raised more than $100 million for St. Jude. It is the largest single-day fundraiser the organization has. The goal for this year's race was to raise $9 million, but Saturday morning Richard Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, the hospital's fundraising and awareness organizationl, said the group was on target to raise $12.5 million, exceeding the 2019 record of $12.3 million.

“The most meaningful thing for me about this race is to see the St. Jude families," Shadyac said. "We’ve got 1,100 St. Jude family members that are participating in this race. ... You’re going to see lots of folks wearing gold and purple arm bands. That’s what this race is about. It’s those folks running in memory of a child who has passed away or in honor of a child that’s going through the battle right now.”

Last year's all-virtual event raised $7.5 million. About 15,000 people participated.

This year, races started on B.B. King Boulevard and ended at AutoZone Park.

The 5K and 10K courses wound through Downtown and the St. Jude campus where Interstate-40 meets N. Danny Thomas Blvd.

The half marathon and marathon routes started and ended Downtown but stretched down North Parkway out into Midtown, with the marathon going through Overton Park as well.

As the marathon participants ran and walked the route, spectators cheered, waved homemade signs and shook cowbells.

A few runners pushed strollers. One participant ran in an inflatable dinosaur costume. A few wore tutus, some wore reindeer antlers, many wore St. Jude face paint.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland called the marathon one of the highlights of his year.

“I get to come down here and see 17,000 runners up and down this street," he said. "As the mayor, I know that’s great for St. Jude, but it’s also great for the city, because that’s a lot of hotel rooms, a lot of visitors … so they’re raising $12 million for St. Jude and spending millions in the city.”

Hooke remembered in 2019, running through the St. Jude campus to see the faces of patients cheering the runners on. It was on the campus grounds in 2019 that she fell, breaking her phone, with the kids looking on her with concern as she got back to her feet and kept running, she said.

"This is what I’m running for," she said. "It’s not just a race. It’s for people, their lives, for them to have a journey. St Jude is a special place in my heart. ... They are fighting for their life and they are continuing to grow so their stories are what inspires me, so that’s why I will continue to do the St. Jude (Marathon).”

For Dale Hart, running in the race was a way to give to St. Jude, but also to celebrate his 76th birthday, which is next month. From Spring Hill near Nashville, Hart has cheered for his wife in the marathon before, but never run himself. At 75, he thought this might be his last chance.

He raised a little over $1,000 for the hospital, with most people donating $25-50.

“St. Jude is an amazing organization. I know what they do. It’s a great facility,” Hart said. “Just to see the people, the kids is so emotional, it’s beautiful. I’m here for the experience.”

An assistant teacher with a big family, Nila Patel said she planned to walk the 5K race because she loves kids.

Saturday was her fourth time participating in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, she said.

It's important "just being able to make a difference, for kids being able to live, to see that one child made it, even one child," she said. "It just breaks my heart to see a little kid being sick.”

Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com, 901-529-2799 or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: St. Jude Memphis Marathon runners support children's research hospital