Frequently asked questions

 
Runners entering the St. Jude campus.
 
 
 
 

Registration

 

When does registration open?

  • St. Jude Heroes registration is open May 3-31, 2021.

                    o   Participant must commit to raise $600 (Bronze Hero), $1500 (Silver Hero), $3000 (Gold Hero), $5,000 (Platinum) or $7,500 (Platinum Premier Hero) and hit minimum by 12/17/2021 (See details under FUNDRAISING section)

  • General registration (no fundraising commitment/minimum) opens June 1, 2021 until all races sold out.

I registered as a general participant. Why does my confirmation say that I'm a St. Jude Hero?

While fundraising is not required for general registrants, every participant receives a personalized St. Jude Heroes fundraising page, along with tools and guidance on how to fundraise. Registration fees ensure we're able to put on a great race, but those wishing to make a donation to St. Jude are strongly encouraged to fundraise or donate directly to the event.

Fundraising is a great way to enhance your race-weekend experience, and to help us make sure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. In appreciation, all participants who fundraise will receive recognition items. Learn more.

Can I transfer my registration from one race distance to another?

Yes, but only if the race you want to switch to is not already sold out. You'll be charged the difference in entry fees in effect at the time of upgrading. If downgrading (from a Race Challenge to a single distance), a refund will not be provided. Please note: A participant who completes a race other than the one for which they are registered will not be eligible for any awards (i.e., not be listed as a finisher with an official time).

To switch races, email marathon@stjude.org. You may only switch race distance once.

Can I change my registration information?

Yes. From your participant center, you can change your address, phone number, email address, shirt size, personalized bib name, emergency contact information, and user name and password.

If you have other changes, please email marathon@stjude.org.

How can I request a copy of my confirmation email?

You can request your confirmation email be resent by completing this form.

Can I transfer or give my bib number to another participant or someone else?

We have a no-transfer policy.  It is imperative that the registration data associated with your bib number belongs to you, the participant. If we become aware that a runner has participated in one of our events with a bib that is not registered to that runner, both the runner and the person to whom the bib is registered will be prohibited from participating in subsequent St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend events for a minimum of two years.

What are the age restrictions by distance?

  • Marathon:  16 years old or older
  • Half Marathon:  14 years old or older
  • 10K: 12 years old or older
  • 5K:  There is no minimum age, but participants under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult
  • Family Fun Run:  Participants must be under 12 years old, and also accompanied by an adult
  • For all races, if a participant is under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must sign the registration form.  Proof of age may be required.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

In-Person Event Cancellation and Change Policy

St. Jude Heroes

Cancellation: Your registration as a Platinum Premier, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze St. Jude Hero is a fundraising commitment to the kids of St. Jude. Your registration may be canceled only under the following extenuating circumstances:

  • Medical injury, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  •  Pregnancy, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  •  Military deployment, with a valid letter from the commanding officer

Upon cancellation based on one of the above extenuating circumstances, you will be released of your 2021 fundraising commitment via email communication. No refunds, transfers between individuals, nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All program fees and funds raised to- date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

Changes: If you are unable or uncomfortable with attending the in-person event, you may make a one-time registration change to participate virtually. Please note: All virtual registrations after Oct. 15 will not be guaranteed to receive race gear prior to race day. No refunds, transfers between participants or to a new participant, nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All program fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

General Participants

  • Cancellation: You may cancel your registration at any time. There are no refunds. All registration fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

 

  • Changes: If you are unable or uncomfortable with attending the in-person event, you may make a one-time registration change to participate virtually. Please note: All virtual registrations after Oct. 15 will not be guaranteed to receive race gear prior to race day.  No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All registration fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

What are my options if the In-Person Event, for reasons outside of the event’s control, transitions completely to the Virtual Experience? 

St. Jude Heroes

  • You may chose to remain at your current commitment level, downgrade to a lower commitment level, switch to a general participant option or cancel your registration.
  • Refunds for the St. Jude Heroes program fee are available should you choose to cancel your registration and must be requested via marathon@stjude.org within three business days of your cancellation.
  • No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude event will be permitted. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

General Participants

  •  You may switch to the virtual experience or cancel your registration.
  • Refunds are available if you choose to cancel your registration and must be requested via marathon@stjude.org within three business days of your cancellation.
  • No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude event will be permitted. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

What are my options if the In-Person Event, for reasons outside of the event’s control, reduces the In-Person capacity?

In-person participation may be prioritized by factors including registration date and participant type. If event capacity does not permit you to participate in person in the 2021 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, the following options are available:

St. Jude Heroes

  •  You may choose to remain at your current commitment level, downgrade to a lower commitment level, switch to a general participant option or cancel your registration.
  • Refunds for the St. Jude Heroes program fee are available should you choose to cancel your registration and must be requested via marathon@stjude.org within three business days of your cancellation.
  • No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

General Participants

  •  You may switch to the virtual experience or cancel your registration.
  • Refunds are available if you choose to cancel your registration and must be requested via marathon@stjude.org within three business days of your cancellation.

No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

What is the Virtual Experience cancellation and change policy?

St. Jude Heroes

Cancellation: Your registration as a Platinum Premier, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze St. Jude Hero is a fundraising commitment to the kids of St. Jude. Your registration may be cancelled only under the following extenuating circumstances:

  • Medical injury, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  • Pregnancy, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  • Military deployment, with a valid letter from the commanding officer

Upon cancellation based on one of the above extenuating circumstances, you will be released of your 2021 fundraising commitment via email communication.  No refunds, transfers between individuals, nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All program fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

Changes: You may make a one-time registration change to participate in-person and must request this change by October 15 by emailing marathon@stjude.org.

General Participants

  • Cancellation: You may cancel your registration at any time. There are no refunds. All registration fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.
  • Changes: You may make a one-time registration change to participate in-person and must request this change by October 15. There are no transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

When will registration close?

We do not have a closing date yet, but will be sure to communicate it when we do.

 
 
 

Virtual experience

 

What are my participation options?

We are offering the following virtual options. Your virtual experience includes a:

Do I have to fundraise to be part of the virtual experience?

No, fundraising is not required for general participants. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum St. Jude Heroes have a fundraising commitment with exclusive virtual benefits. Should you choose to fundraise as a general participant, you can earn great recognition items.

How do I submit my time?

We will have more information about submitting your time soon. 

Will there be awards this year?

We will have awards for our in-person races.

Can I still qualify for the Boston Marathon?

Unfortunately, a virtual marathon time is not acceptable as a Boston Marathon qualifying time.

Do I have to run my race during race week? Or can I run at another time?

If you signed up for the 2-Race or 4-Race Challenge, you'll run your distances in the months leading up to race week, with your final distance completed during race week. If you signed up for a single distance, you'll complete this race during race week.

When will I receive my race gear?

Register by September 15 to receive your gear by October 8. For those that register after September 15, your gear will arrive within 4-6 weeks of your registration. Please ensure you're correct address is updated in your participant center.

Can I accumulate miles instead of run my race all at once?

You will need to complete your distance/s all at once.

Can I do my race on a treadmill?

We will have more information soon.

 
 
 

Event

 

What is Juice Plus+?

Juice Plus+® has proudly sponsored the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend since the event first ran in 2002, making great strides in raising funds and awareness for kids’ health and for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In addition to serving as presenting sponsor, Juice Plus+ encourages their corporate employees and sales partners to participate as St. Jude Heroes and hosts a spirit station along the course, featuring Memphis music and entertainment

Offering a line of plant-based products formulated to support good health, Juice Plus+ is committed to inspiring healthy living around the world and enabling healthy change. Initiatives include:

  • The Juice Plus+ Foundation, partnering with organizations that help kids and their families get the good nutrition they need in communities worldwide
  • Healthy Starts for Families, empowering families to make simple, healthy changes, and documenting the lasting benefits via the Family Healthy Study

How can I volunteer?

More information will be available soon about volunteering for this year's virtual event.

 
 
 

Fundraising

 

What is the St. Jude Heroes program?

Participants who fundraise at least $250 for St. Jude while training for any St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend race earn the title of St. Jude Hero.

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is the largest single-day fundraising event for St. Jude. Registration fees help us put on a great race, but fundraising is the best way to support the kids of St. Jude.

There are two ways to be a St. Jude Hero:

  • Sign up prior to general registration at the Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze fundraising level, and get exclusive benefits and race-weekend perks.
  • Register during general registration and raise at least $250. You'll earn a St. Jude singlet or tech shirt to wear race weekend, and have the chance earn other prizes based on how much you raise.

Learn more about becoming a St. Jude Hero.

If I register at one fundraising level but raise as much as another fundraising level, will I automatically be upgraded?

To ensure all St. Jude Heroes receive the benefits they register for, some of which are limited in quantity, we do not automatically upgrade fundraising levels. However, in the month of May, participants will be allowed to increase their level, while availability lasts. We will offer a waitlist in June. Email marathon@stjude.org for more information.

Can I cancel my fundraising commitment?

Your registration as a Platinum Premier, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze St. Jude Hero is a fundraising commitment to the kids of St. Jude. Your registration may be canceled only under the following extenuating circumstances:

  • Medical injury, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  • Pregnancy, with a valid doctor’s note on office letterhead
  • Military deployment, with a valid letter from the commanding officer

Upon cancellation based on one of the above extenuating circumstances, you will be released of your 2021 fundraising commitment via email communication.  No refunds, transfers between individuals, nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All program fees and funds raised to date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

Changes: If you are unable or uncomfortable with attending the in-person event, you may make a one-time registration change to participate virtually. Please note: All virtual registrations after Sept. 15 will not be guaranteed to receive race gear prior to race day. No refunds, transfers between participants or to a new participant, nor any deferments to a future St. Jude event will be permitted. All program fees and funds raised to date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

What happens if I don't meet my fundraising goal by race day (Platinum - $5,000, Gold – $3,000, Silver – $1,500, Bronze – $600)?

As a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze St. Jude Hero, your race entry and benefits are tied to your fundraising level. In October, you’ll be asked to secure your commitment to fundraise for the kids of St. Jude by providing your credit card information. At that time, you can donate to yourself to reach your fundraising goal, or we’ll keep your card on file until the fundraising deadline (December 17, 2021).

In the unlikely event you still haven’t met your goal by December 17, 2021, we will fulfill the remaining amount of your fundraising commitment with your credit card information.

Do all event proceeds go to St. Jude?

The St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend is a collaborative effort between St. Jude and the Memphis Runners Track Club (MRTC). St. Jude owns the event and is responsible for costs associated with it.

We do our best to keep costs at a minimum, but, as with any major event, there is an expenditure associated with all of our races. Registration fees cover the majority of event costs, and once all fees are paid for the event's production, remaining proceeds go back to St. Jude.

Registration fees, then, are not a guaranteed donation to the kids of St. Jude. We rely on the fundraising efforts of our participants, and encourage all participants and volunteers to donate or raise funds for St. Jude.

Why Fundraise

Where can I find the list of Heroes virtual benefits?

See a list of virtual benefits on our St. Jude Heroes page.

 
 
 

Health & Safety

 

What are my options if I do not plan to get fully vaccinated or obtain a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered between Wednesday, Dec. 1 - Friday, Dec. 3?

You may switch your race to our virtual experience or cancel your registration. A one-time registration change can be made to participate virtually by emailing marathon@stjude.org.

Please note: All virtual registrations after Oct. 15 will not be guaranteed to receive race gear prior to race day. No transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event will be permitted. All registration fees and funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude. Please see our cancellation and refund policy.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

  • See our cancellation and refund policy.
  • You may make a one-time registration change. All requests to transfer from virtual to in-person or from in-person to virtual must be received by October 15 by emailing marathon@stjude.org.
    Please note: All virtual registrations after Oct. 15 will not be guaranteed to receive race gear prior to race day. There are no transfers between individuals nor any deferments to a future St. Jude Heroes event. All funds raised to-date will be donated to the kids of St. Jude.

What type of COVID-19 test will be accepted?

Details will be communicated in November.

What qualifies as proof of vaccination?

Details will be communicated in November.

Will St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend offer COVID-19 testing?

No. Please visit CDC.gov to find available testing sites.

What are the age requirements related to the Health & Safety Policy protocols?

  • All attendees ages 2 - 11 must wear a mask at all times while indoors, be free of COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days and a provide negative COVID-19 test that has been administered between Wednesday, Dec. 1- Friday, Dec. 3.
  • All attendees ages 12 and up must wear a mask at all times while indoors, be free of COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days and provide either (1) proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or (2) a negative COVID-19 test that has been administered between Wednesday, Dec. 1- Friday, Dec. 3.
 
 

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