New St. Jude Marathon features, more than 18,000 participants expected | Community Spirit

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend expects more than 18,000 runners and walkers participating in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, Memphis Grizzlies House 5K and the St. Jude Memphis Kids Marathon and Family Fun Run.

All races benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases.

Gates will open at 6:30 a.m. at AutoZone Park. The Memphis Grizzlies House 5K race begins at 7:15 a.m., followed by the Half, Full, and Relay Marathons starting at 8:00 a.m. The one-mile Family Fun Run will culminate the day of races. It takes place at 1:30 p.m.

A few things are new to the race this year, including the addition of a five-member marathon relay team.

This year, runners can look for something special at every mile of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon.

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Mile Markers sponsored by community partners will feature a page from the book The ABC’s of Cancer. The ABC Wall located outside the hospital’s Kay Café was created by St. Jude patients using a letter of the alphabet to express how they are feeling. Runners can follow the happy, sad and joyful moments of St. Jude patients battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

Also, for the first time ever, the Memphis Grizzlies House 5K will take runners through the St. Jude campus. This inspiring section of the race is considered by many St. Jude Heroes who run the full or half marathon to be the most meaningful part of the weekend, seeing the faces of the children and families their fundraising efforts directly impact.

Another new feature in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is the latest in real-time race tracking by providing Live Results via our partner RTRT.me. Track runners by name, bib number, city or team at any time during the race.