Memphis-Peoria run raises millions for St. Jude

Tools

Web Editor - Michael Vick

Story Created: Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:23 PM

Story Updated: Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:26 PM

PEORIA, Ill. — The 31st annual St. Jude Memphis-to-Peoria Run is all about running for a cure.

Organizers said thanks to the generosity of the public, they earned $2.8 million last year and are close to that this year.

On Tuesday, 179 runners drove to memphis, then started running Wednesday at noon.

They're divided into teams and one team takes over for the other every eight hours as they make their way to the end in Peoria.

But as we caught up with organizer and co-founder Peoria County Sheriff Michael McCoy, we found out these runners aren't the only ones on their way to the finish line.

"There are 32 other runs in the middle of Illinois from St. Louis to Chicago," McCoy said. "All converge on Peoria Saturday night for the St. Jude telethon, 2,800 runners. It's going to be an exciting night for us. This is a great week."

McCoy said when they add in this year's total, they will have raised $29 million for St. Jude in the past 31 years.