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.

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, until August 11, participants will be allowed to increase their level, while availability lasts. Email marathon@stjude.org for more information.

This year, things look a little different for all of us, and we understand that times may be tough. We'll allow you to cancel your fundraising commitment this year through Tuesday, August 11, but we also have some options for you to consider. You may:

• lower your fundraising level
• participate as a general participant and continue to fundraise with no requirement (no exclusive St. Jude Heroes benefits included, but you will be eligible to earn recognition items)
• defer your fundraising commitment to 2021 (your fundraising total will transfer to our 2021 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, though we cannot guarantee your same St. Jude Heroes benefits)
• cancel your fundraising commitment and race entry

All documents must be emailed to marathon@stjude.org for consideration, and no refunds of fundraising or program fees will be made.

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 (January 4, 2021).

In the unlikely event you still haven’t met your goal by January 4, 2021, we will fulfill the remaining amount of your fundraising commitment with your credit card information.

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

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

• Remain committed:

1. No changes to your registration
2. Change your level (upgrade/downgrade)
3. Change your distance or upgrade to the challenges 

• Participate as a general participant with no fundraising commitment.
  
• Defer to 2021 and:

1. Skip 2020 – 2021 Heroes benefits not guaranteed to match 2020.
2. Participate as a 2020 general participant – No Heroes benefit in 2020, must pay 2020 virtual registration fee, 2021 Heroes benefits not guaranteed to match 2020.
3. Those who defer will receive email after Aug. 11 with details about registering for general registration.

• Cancel registration and fundraising commitment for 2020.

Downgrading to a lower Hero level & deferring current level is not an available option.

Yes, if you are simply wanting to change distance, please email marathon@stjude.org. If you would like to participate in the 2 or 4-Race challenges, please fill out your survey sent via email on July 28 to indicate that you would like to change to the challenge. Our team will reach out to you in the coming weeks to confirm your registration change. There is no charge for committed Heroes to switch distances or upgrade to the challenges!

If you would like to downgrade levels, please email marathon@stjude.org. If you are wanting to be a general participant, please fill out your survey vie email on July 28 to indicate that you would like to change your registration type. Someone will reach out to you in the coming weeks to confirm your registration change. All request must be submitted by Tuesday, August 11.

Yes! We are accepting upgrade requests via our waitlist until August 11. These entries are first come, first served.

If you choose not to participate, we will refund your program fee upon request, but all donations raised cannot be refunded and will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All refund requests must be submitted to marathon@stjude.org by Tuesday, August 11.

Yes, you are able to defer. Please fill outyour survey sent via email on July 28 to indicate that you would like to defer. We will move your donations total to the 2021 event. Please note that current Heroes Level and benefits are guaranteed, however, you will have first access to register for the 2021 race. All deferment request must be submitted by Tuesday, August 11 and your total raised by this date is what will be deferred. Any funds raised from Aug. 12 on, remain with the 2020 event.

If you are interested in deferring and participating as a general participant, look out for an email after August 11 with further instructions on how to register.

No, if you choose to defer, the fundraising cutoff will be August 11. Once registration is open for the 2021 event, you can resume fundraising after registering and receiving your 2021 fundraising page. This will not be available until next year. 

The hotel gift card will be to any Hilton or Marriott property. It will be equivalent to a two night (Gold) or three night (Plat. Premier/Platinum) stay. You will indicate your hotel chain preference during recommitment in the fall and will receive it shortly after.