The St. Jude Runs are the product of two very determined men’s vision to help children win the fight against childhood catastrophic diseases. Mike McCoy and Gene Pratt, co-founders of the St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run, envisioned an event so unique and different that it would bring people from all walks of life together to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. That mission was accomplished with the first St. Jude Memphis to Peoria Run in 1982. A group of about 22 runners made their way from the steps of St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee to Peoria, Illinois; a 465 mile trek raising $22,500!