Hero’s Welcome: Thousands of runners pack streets for St. Jude Marathon – The Daily Memphian

<strong>Tia Stone, the first-place female full marathon runner, crosses the finish line of the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Tia Stone, the first-place female full marathon runner, crosses the finish line of the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>The first group of runners awaits the start of the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

The first group of runners awaits the start of the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>Adam Higham celebrates as he makes his way down the stretch on his way to a first-place finish at the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Adam Higham celebrates as he makes his way down the stretch on his way to a first-place finish at the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>More than 26,000 people packed the streets of Downtown Memphis for the St. Jude Marathon on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

More than 26,000 people packed the streets of Downtown Memphis for the St. Jude Marathon on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>The Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob entertained the runners in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis on Saturday morning Dec. 7, 2019. More than 25,000 runners representing all 50 states and 26 countries participated.</strong> (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to The Daily Memphian)

The Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob entertained the runners in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis on Saturday morning Dec. 7, 2019. More than 25,000 runners representing all 50 states and 26 countries participated. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to The Daily Memphian)

<strong>Owen Reed high fives runners in the St. Jude Marathon as they make their way through Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Owen Reed high fives runners in the St. Jude Marathon as they make their way through Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

The Memphis Ukulele Flash Mob entertained the runners in the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis on Saturday morning, Dec. 7, 2019. More than 25,000 runners representing 49 states and 26 countries participated. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to The Daily Memphian)

<strong>Memphis University School senior Henry Bridgforth jumps over the finish line with excitement after completing a half marathon at the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Memphis University School senior Henry Bridgforth jumps over the finish line with excitement after completing a half marathon at the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>Runners from all 50 states and 17 countries participated in the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Runners from all 50 states and 17 countries participated in the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>A runner dressed as Santa waves to the crowd during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

A runner dressed as Santa waves to the crowd during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>A runner dressed as a pope looks to the heavens during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

A runner dressed as a pope looks to the heavens during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>Travis Dollar gathers an armful of medals from the rack during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

Travis Dollar gathers an armful of medals from the rack during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 7, 2019. (Patctk Lantrip/Daily Memphian)

<strong>AnnaGrace Fulmer is one of more than 25,000 runners in the St. Jude Marathon Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019.</strong> (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to Daily Memphian)

AnnaGrace Fulmer is one of more than 25,000 runners in the St. Jude Marathon Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (Karen Pulfer Focht/Special to Daily Memphian)