Ready to run: Team meets for pasta, pride before St. Jude Memphis Marathon

Readytorun:Teammeetsforpasta,pridebeforeSt.JudeMemphisMarathon

By Aisling Mäki, Daily Memphian

Updated: December 07, 2024 3:50 PM CT | Published: December 06, 2024 9:29 PM CT

ThenightbeforetheSt JudeMemphisMarathon,onFriday,Dec 6,morethan120membersoftheSouthernCollegeof Optometry’steamstoppedbythecampusgymnasiumtolltheirplateswithcarbohydrate-richpastaandlltheirspiritswith communitypride.

Thespread,providedbyChefWandaMotleyofWillevasCatering,featuredspaghettiandmeatballs,broccolifettuccinealfredo, chicken,greenbeans,saladandgarlicbread

“Wehaveapastadinnerjustsoeverybodycangettogetherandgetpumpedabouttherace,”saidMelissaHansbro,creativeservices coordinatoratSouthernCollegeofOptometry,whosestudentsthisyearrepresent35US statesplusCanada

Calkins: The St Jude Memphis Marathon isn’t just a race It’s a lesson for us all

CommunityserviceisanintegralpartofstudentlifeatSCO,whoseoutreachprogramseachyearbringmillionsofdollarsinfree andaffordableeyecaretoabout20,000Memphisarearesidents.

In2019,SCOlauncheditsownSt JudeMemphisMarathonteam,andeachyearsincethecollegehasparticipated

The Southern College of Optometry marathon team loads up on carbs Dec 6, 2024, the night before the St Jude Memphis Marathon (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)

Thisyear’steamhasarecord145members—mostlystudentsbutsomealumniandfacultymembers.Donningmatchingraceday T-shirts,they’llgatheronSaturdaymorningatthestartingline,locatedattheintersectionofB B KingBoulevardandMadison Avenue.

HansbrobeginsrecruitingthemtotheteamwhentheyarriveinMemphiseachAugustfororientation SCOdeliversa10-minute presentationabouttheSt.Judemarathonandpassesoutpostcardswithinformation.

“Thestudentsliketogivebackandtheylovethecommunityspirit,”Hansbrosaid “Thisissomethingtheycandotogether They traintogetherandit’sagreatbondingexperienceforthem”

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Dr AutumnKillop,anSCOalumna,nowworksasanoptometristinhernativeMichigan Shegraduatedin2021,butreturnsto MemphiseachDecemberforthemarathon.

“In2022,Iranthe5k,lastyearIranthe10k,andI’mattemptingthehalf-marathontomorrow,”shesaidduringFriday’sdinner She’salsohadtheopportunitytovolunteeratSt JudeChildren’sResearchHospital,wherepatientsreceivetreatmentforchildhood cancersandotherlife-threateningillnesses,andtheirfamiliesneverreceiveabillfromthehospitalfortreatment,travel,housingor meals

In2022,shewasabletohelpwiththeSt Judelifestudy,whichhelpsresearcherslearnaboutthelong-termhealthofchildhood cancersurvivors

Guest Column: When St Jude and Memphis team up, anything is possible

“ItriedtodoitwhileIwasinschoolhere,butthenCOVIDhappened,”Killopsaid

8:19AM

ShesaidshewasmovedbytheexperienceofbeingontheDowntownMemphiscampusoftheworld-renownedpediatrichospital actorDannyThomasfoundedin1962

“Whenyouruntherace,yourunthroughthecampusandgettoseeallthekidsandhowexcitedtheyare,”Killopsaid “Butactually seeingthecampus,seeingwhatthesekidsandfamiliesgothroughandhowSt Judereallygoestheextramiletomakethemfeel welcome,it’sjustsoinspiring.”

Backin2018,whileshewasstillastudentatSCO,Killopchallengedherselftorunthehalf-marathononherown,butitendedwith aninjury OnSaturday,sheplanstocompletethe13 2-mileroute—forherself,forSCO,forSt JudeandforMemphis

“There’salotofpridewhenitcomestobeingapartofaschoolthat’ssoinvolvedwiththeircommunity,”Killopsaid.“It’svery obviousthattheschoolcaresalot,andMemphisisaplacethatneedspeoplewhocare.”

SOUTHERN COLLEGE OF OPTOMETRY ST JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON ST JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON 2024

AislingMäki

Aisling Mäki has spent the better part of two decades writing about Memphis A former digital journalist for WMC Action News 5 and staff reporter for Memphis Daily News, her work has also appeared in The Commercial Appeal, High Ground News, I Love Memphis, Inside Memphis Business, The Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent, Memphis Magazine and Tri-State Defender