St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend raises $10 million for kids battling cancer, other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®

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