The St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run, the idea of Co-founders Mike McCoy and Gene Pratt, began with the idea of a way to raise money for their favorite charity, St. Jude. The concept of driving to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and then running back, relay-style, to the St. Jude Midwest Affiliate in Peoria, has come to be one of the foremost charity running events in the nation. Each year since 1982, runners have paid for the honor to participate in this unique, 465-mile event that has raised over $11.9 million for St. Jude kids.

Because not everyone can participate in the more rigorous Memphis to Peoria Run, auxiliary runs were started from communities throughout Illinois. Employees, doctors, and nurses from the St. Jude Hospital in Memphis also participate in this event along with runners from Chicago, Macomb, Bloomington/Normal, Decatur, LaSalle/Peru, Springfield, Lincoln, Champaign/Urbana, Galesburg, Canton, Quad Cities, Elmwood, Macomb, Pekin, Quincy, Richwoods High School, St. Louis and the Tri-County. Each of these cities send runners to Peoria to meet the Memphis to Peoria Runners and help kick off the St. Jude Telethon held in Peoria, Illinois, each year in August. For more information about the Quincy to Peoria Run or how you can participate, email Rick Meehan, 2007 Run Coordinator at

rkmeehan@hotmail.com

Also, Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page or go to our Forms Page to download St. Jude Run forms.

Quincy to Peoria Runners Schedule

WHY WE RUN

“The doctors, nurses and all of the people at all of the St. Jude facilities are so kind and helpful, both to the patients and their families. We are truly blessed to have such a facility and group of people to look to in a difficult and trying time in our lives.”

— Chet Brown, whose daughter was treated at St. Jude

“I have been running for about six years now and when St. Jude was brought to my attention I was more than willing to fund raise and run for the children. ... Handing off our check at the telethon is the most heartwarming moment for everyone. You know you are helping tons of children, which is the best feeling of all.”

— Jennifer Craven

“A family friend had a son who was diagnosed with leukemia and went through a long battle of chemo, bone marrow/stem cell transplants, one remission and return of cancer. He lost the battle last summer. His mother kept an amazing journal online and told of the wonderful people and outstanding care at St. Jude. ... Even though our friend’s son passed away last year, I run for him. I run for kids everywhere who don’t ever deserve to have such serious diseases and who are so brave in their fight. I run for the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Jude. I run because I can.”

— Matt Nelson

“I recently had the opportunity to visit St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. It was an amazing experience and an honor to see first-hand the miracles happening there every day. I am very excited for Quincy and the community in working toward the founding dream of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ‘No child should die in the dawn of life.’’’

— Rebecca Stump

Read why other local runners support the St. Jude Run

See how running in the Raider Classic will benefit St. Jude's

Please support and sponsor these local 2008 St. Jude Runners and Volunteers:

 

Paul Arndt	Emily Kath
Mildred Becks	Kirsten Lamia
Meagan Becks	Brandon Meehan
Chester Brown	Randy Meehan
Jenny Craven	Ryan Meehan
Kellea Dietrich	Sarah Meehan
Andrew Edgar	Laura Meyer
Andy Edgar	Joe Mickley
Paula Edgar	Nikki Mountain
Jennifer Ford	Brad Page
Brenda Graff	Liz Pyse
Bridget Hamann	Jet Rowley
Mark Harms	Rebecca Stump
Angela Harpole	Krista Tenhouse
Marilyn Heinie	Molly Terstegge
Richard Heinie	Nancy Waters
Melissa Hill	Forrest Waters
Melissa Hillebrenner	Spencer Waters
Rhonda James	Kelly Wilson
Jen Kamps	Justin Wollbrink
Thank you Volunteers!   With out the help of dedicated volunteers, this run    would not be possible
Jacque Centers	Barb Holthaus	Roger Kindhart

	AVAILABLE FOR RUNNERS.... Official window static cling sticker  - $2.00 each  PROCEEDS BENEFIT ST. JUDE