Gifting of JOPLIN MEMORIAL RUN Banners

 Saturday, May 18, 2024, will be the final Freeman Joplin Memorial Run.  The Board of Directors of Active Lifestyle Events, Inc. (ALE), while honoring “Run, Remember, Rebuild” feels it is time to cross the JMR finish line one last time. We appreciate the dedication of our runners, volunteers, race director Ruth Sawkins and her team. Without them we would not have had such a great run. We hope to see everyone continue to Run to help stay healthy, continue to Remember those lost and the times we have all shared honoring them, and continue to Rebuild our lives and relationships.

“We are excited to be able to gift these banners to the families of those lost on that terrible day.   Approximately 20,000 runners have passed through these banners over the last twelve years in an often-emotional tribute to those who perished.  These banners carry a great deal of meaning to these families and we are happy to be able to honor them in this way.” stated Audie Dennis, founder of the run and president of Active Lifestyle Events.  

To express final appreciation to the family members who lost loved ones in the May 22nd, 2011, tornado,

at the conclusion of the run, we will distribute the memorial banners to the families of the 161 lost. Distribution will take place at the JMR sculpture on the southeast corner of the Cornell Arts Center lawn. at 11:30 am.

You will receive either an email, text or call prior to race day regarding your request from 417-359-4185 or tonya@alerun.onmicrosoft.com to confirm if you were determined to be the authorized recipient.  If more than one person submits a claim for the same individual, we will prioritize the apparent closest relative or relationship (for example, priority is set at spouse first, children second, parents third, sibling fourth, etc., with final determination will be made by the ALE committee).  We appreciate you completing the data collection form through the above link to help us manage a smooth distribution.

Active Lifestyle Events, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to receive and administer funds for scientific, educational, civic, athletic, patriotic, cultural, social, and charitable purposes, and to encourage and foster active lifestyles in the Joplin community.