Ask the Memphian: How did the St. Jude marathon grow from a small race to a mighty behemoth?
Tyler Fennema celebrates after finishing the half marathon during the St. Jude Marathon in Downtown Memphis on Dec. 6 2025. (Wes Hale/Special to The Daily Memphian)
As Rich VanMeter was running near the Liberty Bowl in the inaugural St. Jude Memphis Marathon in 2002, a panhandler approached him and asked for spare change.
VanMeter was a little stunned. He wasn’t decked out in fancy running gear, just sweatpants and beat-up old shoes. But he still thought it was obvious that he was running a race.
“I think he had no idea I was out there running,” recalled VanMeter, who has since taken part in every running of the St. Jude marathon. “I’m like, ‘I have no money. You’re not going to have much luck with these people coming by because we’re not carrying change.’”
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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