365 Things to Do in Memphis #279: Run in (or Cheer On) the St. Jude Marathon

365 Things to Do in Memphis #279: Run in (or Cheer On) the St. Jude Marathon

The first weekend in December means one thing in Memphis: it's marathon time. Assignment #279 in the 365 Things to Do in Memphis is to run in (or cheer on those running in) the St. Jude Memphis Marathon and half marathon.

Check out the 2023 Guide To the St. Jude Memphis Marathon HERE.

Every year, the marathon brings tens of thousands of runner from all 50 states and 49 countries to Memphis for the weekend. It has about a multi-million economic impact on the city, and it raises millions of dollars for St. Jude.

If you're running in the marathon, half marathon, congratulations. You're helping out St. Jude's world class research and pediatric care, and you're a much better athlete than most of us will ever be.

If you're not running, there are still a few things you need to know before marathon Saturday is upon us:

- Most importantly: expect traffic delays, especially if you live anywhere in Midtown or Downtown. The race is usually over by 3 p.m. or so, so if you live near the route, my suggestion is that you not try to leave your house by car on Saturday morning.

- If you have to go to work downtown, give yourself tons of extra time, not only to get downtown, but also to find parking and then walk to work. 

- Cheering is welcome. There are some official cheering stations manned by local organizations along the route, but plenty of impromptu guerrilla stations pop up wherever there's a sidewalk. Bring signs, dress crazy, bring a boom box and yell encouraging things to support the runners. It may be a little chilly, but they probably can't feel their legs anymore. It's the least you can do.

- Lastly, if you're not running, but know someone who's running as a St. Jude Hero, don't forget to give them a little donation. The Heroes run as fundraisers for St. Jude.

Go there:

St. Jude Memphis Marathon and Half Marathon

Saturday, Dec. 2
all day, races start at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Start: B.B. King and Court (5K) and B.B. King and Beale (marathon, half, 10K)

Finish: AutoZone Park
 

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