Joplin Memorial Run honors tornado victims, aids Humane Society

The Joplin Memorial Run was created as a way to honor the 161 people who lost their lives in the May 22, 2011 tornado and to provide hope to the Joplin community while at the same time staging a first class event that runners will come back for again and again.

The Saturday, May 18 event featured a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon and 4-Person Half Marathon Relay. A virtual run was also held.

The previous evening included a Kid’s one-mile run and the “Walk of Silence” which honored the 161 people who lost their lives as a result of the May 2011 Joplin tornado.

The principal beneficiary of this year’s run was the Joplin Humane Society. Tianna Fisher, Shelter Services Manager at the Joplin Society, says the run is a definite “win-win” for Joplin.

“As primary beneficiary of the Joplin Memorial Run, we are very blessed,” she states. “This has given us an opportunity to rebuild some of the structures at the shelter and promote adoptions and the health of our community.”

“We strongly encourage everyone to adopt,” Fisher adds. “We see close to 400 animals come to our shelter at any one time. Adopting, fostering and helping animals is good for everyone.”

All Joplin Memorial Run races began at 8th and Main in downtown Joplin.