JOPLIN, Mo. – Runners are set for this year’s Joplin Memorial Run! Cunningham Park is the new 2021 venue, start and finish location for the 10 year anniversary.

Organizers created the Joplin Memorial Run as a way to honor the 161 people who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011 tornado.

“This year’s Freeman Joplin Memorial Run 10 year Anniversary logo honors seven symbols of hope and renewal, several featured as past icons of hope for our running series,” states the JMR Website. “In the weeks after the storm, Freeman Hospital was the only light we could see on the dark horizon of the city, and the Freeman Memorial continues to shine as a beacon of light today.”

“Similarly, St. Mary’s Cross, which was the only thing left standing on that site, became a symbol of strength and endurance. The Butterfly emblem represents God’s angels “butterfly people,” who watched over our citizens during the storm. The Memorial Ring represents the strength of the human spirit, on display in the rebuilding efforts of the survivors and volunteers who flooded Joplin after the tornado.”

“The Spirit Tree, which became a home for local birds after so many trees were destroyed, has become a symbol of care for the vulnerable and displaced.”

“The duct-taped letters that spell out HopE High School, after the J and lin were ripped from the Joplin sign, represent our commitment to rebuild stronger than ever.”

“And finally the Joplin Memorial Run logo, featuring the flags that line our streets each year with 161 names, honors the loved ones we lost.” – Joplin Memorial Run

Joplin Memorial Run events

FRIDAY MAY 21, 2021

• 4:00- 7:00 PM
  • Packet Pickup at Cunningham Park
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    Food Trucks

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    Live Band

Course – Closed Roads

Check out the map below for the courses.

Runner_Map._Proof – Joplin Memorial Run 2021