Tag Archives: Joplin Memorial Run

Joplin Memorial Run 2022 starts and begins at Cunningham Park

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JOPLIN, Mo. – Saturday, May 7, the Joplin Memorial Run starts and begins at Cunningham Park, 26th and S Maiden Lane.  Normally it’s closer to the May 22 date, but this year a little early to accommodate other events in the scheduling of major runs.

Expect road closures across town.

This features 5 different categories of runners. This is not a marathon, but features a half-marathon, aka 13.1. Also they hold: Relay, 10K and 5K beginning at 6:45 a.m. The kids fun run begins at 11 a.m.

2022_JMR_Runner_Guide

Freeman Health Systems is the title sponsor. Active Lifestyle Events and Rufus Racing produce the event.

“We are now eleven years removed from May 22nd, 2021, when an EF-5 tornado tore through our city, taking the lives of 161 of our citizens. But true to our Show-Me state moniker, our community rose to the biggest challenge in our history, demonstrating to the world the miracle of the human spirit.

The goal of this run continues to be summarized by our tag line: Run, Remember, Rebuild. Each of us run for various reasons. But today, we share a common bond and we run as one. We run to remember the 161 members of our community who cannot be with us, but who we will never forget. We run in remembrance of the many acts of sacrifice and heroism displayed during and after the storm.” – Audie Dennis, President, Active Lifestyle Events

KOAM WILL HOST A HYDRATION STATION AT 26TH AND CONNECTICUT! WATCH FOR OUR STAFF, ON AIR TALENT AND JOPLIN NEWS FIRST!

  • For spectators parking could be an issue as there are nearly 2,000 scheduled to participate.  Parking is allowed on any neighborhood roads (except as noted for race course) please do not block driveways
  • Please do not park in any apartment complex parking spaces
  • 26th Street will be closed Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7 from Maiden Lane

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City prepares for Joplin tornado memorial run and ceremony

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JOPLIN, Mo. (KODE) – There’s a lot of attention around Cunningham and Mercy parks at 26th and Maiden Lane, as the city of Joplin prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the deadly tornado.

That included a special ceremony organized by Mercy Hospital Joplin.

Plus, tonight, around two thousand athletes are preparing for the Joplin Memorial Run tomorrow.

“Our motto is ‘Run, Remember, and Rebuild,'” says Bob Brown, Joplin Memorial Run Committee and Race MC.

Friday night, runners were lining up to pick up their run packets at Cunningham Park.

The park was lined with 161 flags with the names of all the tornado victims.

“I was talking to a lady who lost her son and I ask his name. She told me his name, and she said, ‘I wonder where his banner is.’ I said, ‘We will look for him. I cant quite see it now. They’re turned differently with the wind.’ And, about that time, his banner turned to me. It was really a touching moment for me and her,” says Brown.

The Joplin Memorial Run starts at 6:30 Saturday morning.

Across the street, Mercy Hospital Joplin held a ceremony at Mercy Park to reflect on May 22, 2011.

“It was really just that, to remember. It was to celebrate all the obstacles that we’ve overcome in those ten years with our coworkers,” says Jeremy Drinkwitz, President of Joplin Mercy Community.

The hospital held a prayer to open the ceremony and had guest speakers.

Hospital employees put markers throughout the park to signify where parts of St. Johns Regional Medical Center used to stand.

“This is just a day to say, yes, God’s grace has saved us and kept us as a healing ministry in this community and we want to continue that,” says Libby Clark, Emergency Room nurse.

Joplin is hosting a ten year remembrance ceremony at Cunningham Park starting at 3:00pm Saturday.

It is open to the public and they will read all 161 names of those who died.