Philadelphia ladies run to raise money for St. Jude

For the last five years, Racheal Page, Jessica Myers, and Stephanie Brown have made a tradition of heading to Memphis for the St. Jude Marathon Weekend in December. 

After forging a friendship through work at Neshoba General and developing a shared love for running, the trio initially joined local runs, eventually finding themselves drawn to Memphis for the first time in 2019.

“We just loved it so much we decided to go back every year,” Page said.

The motivation for this race runs deep for these ladies. Two of the nurses they work with at the hospital had children battling childhood cancers, which further fueled their inspiration and commitment to the St. Jude cause.

During Marathon Weekend the ladies can be seen wearing t-shirts that echo their mission “We run because they can’t.”

The camaraderie shared extends beyond their connection, as an astounding 20,000 participants from 75 countries came together to support St. Jude's lifesaving mission this year. 

For Brown, a standout moment of the half marathon is reaching the halfway point running through the St. Jude campus, where kids line the path, evoking tears and heartfelt emotions.

“It’s amazing and there’s nothing like it,” she said.

Despite moments of doubt, like considering backing out this year, they persevered, pushing each other to go the distance and continuing to make a difference. 

Their goal each December is not only to finish the race but also to raise awareness and funds for the St. Jude mission.

Facebook fundraisers, word of mouth, and encouraging messages exchanged among the group leading up to the race amplify their cause and excitement.

“Every year we have more questions about how it went, and people come with us depending on their schedule,” Myers said.

The community's generous support and increasing participation contribute to their success, as this year the ladies were joined by around 15 others from Philadelphia and Carthage, truly helping to make Marathon weekend an annual spectacle. 

The event's growth over the years doesn't escape their notice, but their emphasis remains on collective effort for the cause rather than individual speed. 

“It gets bigger every year,” Page said. “Some years we back it down and only run a 10k, but we do what we can every year.”

Beyond the St. Jude Marathon Weekend in Memphis, the ladies participate in various races throughout the year including the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon and other half marathons both locally and out of state. 

Their advice to others passionate about a cause is to take the leap and never underestimate the impact of your efforts.