MEMPHIS, Tenn., Dec. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On
Saturday, Dec. 3, nearly 23,000
participants and 40,000 spectators from across the U.S. gathered
together to celebrate 15 years and running of the St. Jude Memphis
Marathon Weekend in support of St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital®.
Full marathoners Jason Howell of
Evansville, IN, and Taylor Hoover of Colorado Springs, CO, are the top male and
female finishers of this year's St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend
presented by Juice Plus+® with winning times of 2:38:06
and 2:56:25, respectively. John Long
of Louisville, MS, finished with a
time of 3:13:24 in the wheelchair full marathon.
The top male half-marathoner, Josh
Whitehead of Madison, AL,
finished with a time of 1:10:41, and top female half-marathoner
Beth Autrey of Memphis, TN came in with a time of
1:15:00.
For the third year in a row, Lauren
Paquette of Memphis, TN
crossed the finish line first with a time of 16:01. Drake Heinz, of Benton, LA, crossed the 5K finish line with a
time of 16:39. In the brand new 10K race, Derek Morgan, of Memphis, TN and Gheri
Terry, also of Memphis, TN
crossed the finish line with a time of 37:33 and 43:03,
respectively.
The biggest winners of this year's marathon are the patients and
families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.® 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. This year, St. Jude Heroes
raised $10 million.
Unique to this event is the race route through the St. Jude
campus where patient families cheer from the sidelines to remind
walkers and runners they are running for a greater purpose – to
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. Marathon weekend is a
collaborative effort between ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research
Hospital and the Memphis Runners Track Club.
"An event of this magnitude is only possible thanks to the
support of our event sponsors, safety and security personnel, and
thousands of volunteers and supporters. Every mile run and every
dollar raised during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend help
ensure our families will never receive a bill from St. Jude so they
can focus on what is most important: helping their child live,"
said Richard Shadyac Jr., President
and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Congratulations to our
winners Jason Howell and
Taylor Hoover, as well as to all of
our St. Jude Heroes and participants who helped to raise
$10 million. Because of their
generosity, the advances made at St. Jude are helping to save
children worldwide."
Presenting sponsor Juice Plus+® organized a company-wide team
with 88 participants, raising more than $34,000.
"Our partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is
grounded in our mutual commitment to improving the health of
children everywhere," said Jay
Martin, president and founder of the Juice Plus+® Company.
"The Juice Plus+ Company is proud to support the St. Jude Memphis
Marathon as the presenting sponsor for the 15th year. We offer a
heart-felt thank you and congratulations to all participating
runners and top finishers."
Sponsor Landers Ford created a memorable impression by wrapping
a 2017 Ford Explorer with the names of participating St. Jude
Heroes.
This event would not be possible without the support of many,
including presenting sponsor Juice Plus+®, Memphis
Runners Track Club, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South, official training
partner Breakaway Running and national St. Jude Heroes coach
Kevin Leathers, among others.
Final race times for all participants will be available at
stjudemarathon.org.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161203/445301
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SOURCE ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital