An unforgettable St. Jude Memphis Marathon experience

Growing up in Detroit made me appreciate cars from an early age. I've never been much of a gearhead or mechanic, but I have a deep appreciation for engineering and design, especially when it allows for thundering speed.

Watching the Indianapolis 500 on TV has been a Memorial Day tradition for as long as I can remember. Jim Nabors singing "Back Home in Indiana." A triumphant balloon release. The famous words, "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines." Then 32 racing machines bearing down the opening straightaway.

I was happy beyond words when I finally attended the race in person. At the starting line, my son and I cheered, along with 200,000 fellow fans, as the cars roared by at speeds of more than 230 miles per hour. It was unquestionably the greatest sporting event I had ever witnessed. That is, until last weekend.

As many of you know, I'm an avid cyclist. I ride competitively most weekends, and I was thrilled when my teammates invited me to serve as a bike marshal during the St. Jude Memphis Marathon last Saturday.

More than 20 of us rode alongside the 2,028 runners participating in the full marathon. As marshals, we were tasked with radioing if anyone needed support along the 26.2-mile route.

As luck would have it, I was assigned to the men's division and ended up following Derek Morgan, the eventual winner of the marathon. For two hours, 36 minutes and 48 seconds, I shadowed him. It was a hard-won victory, but perfectly planned and executed. Keeping a steady pace, Derek knocked off mile after mile, completing each in six minutes or less.

Along the journey, we saw people of every stripe turn out to offer support. On the St. Jude campus, we were heralded by patients, their families and employees from both the hospital and ALSAC. In Midtown, we were serenaded by a group playing ukuleles. From a front lawn on Stonewall Street, early morning partygoers raised a glass to our efforts.

By the time we reached East Parkway, it felt as though time slowed. I listened to the drumbeat of Derek's perfect stride and watched as the autumn leaves fell, covering the road.?

At Overton Park around mile 19, the Rhodes Women's Soccer Team staffed a water station. They didn't know Derek, and he didn't know them. But they greeted him as if he were a long-lost friend. That instant camaraderie is part of the marathon's magic. Thousands of strangers drawn together with a single common connection—helping the children of St. Jude.?

During the last five miles, Derek gained momentum, swiftly passing half-marathon runners, nearing the end of their own races. By this point, two Memphis police officers on motorcycles cleared a path for us with sirens and flashing lights. The sequence—a police escort, lone runner, and two bike marshals in tow—made a peculiar parade toward the finish line.

Soon, everyone realized the winner was in their midst. From the sidelines, people cheered. Runners to the left and right, and even those trailing behind, began to shout words of encouragement. Around 10:30 a.m., Derek crossed the finish line.

Greg Campbell, a?Daily Memphian?photographer, captured the moment. In the picture, Derek is pumping his fists with excitement—and to the right, a few feet behind him, I'm smiling, ear to ear.

It was a happy conclusion to our journey together. The experience is one I won't soon forget.

More than 17,000 runners from 50 states and 72 countries participated in either the 5K, 10K, half marathon or full race. Another 3,000 participated virtually, going the distance in neighborhoods across America. Nearly 100 St. Jude employees donned the Heroes singlet to answer the challenge. Scores also volunteered their time to the event. Thousands in Memphis turned out to cheer the effort. It's humbling to see firsthand how many people support the St. Jude mission.

Everyone has a different reason for running, volunteering or turning out to cheer. Regardless of the why, everyone in attendance is connected. We share the dream of a day when no child is lost to cancer or another deadly illness. The urgency and importance of this hope were reflected in the faces of the patients and their families lining the course through the St. Jude campus.

If you have not participated in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend, I encourage you to consider it next year. The Indy500 will always have a special place in my heart, but, in my opinion, our marathon is the greatest of all sporting events. It can be a life-changing experience. More importantly, it holds the power to advance cures and change the lives of children with catastrophic diseases.