PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) – The St. Jude Memphis to Peoria run ends Saturday at the Peoria Civic Center.
And, as in past years, the runners will be joined by those participating in many satellite runs that will be taking place through the region and the state.
Local law enforcement agencies will be out in force ensuring the safety of the runners.
Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins told 25 News his office is in charge of four satellite runs based out of the northwest section of the county.
Some routes are on slow, rural roads while others are on major highways.
Watkins says drivers should be on the lookout for the runners, and give themselves plenty of time.
“You see bikers and runners every day, but you’re going to see a lot of runners [Saturday], and the last thing we want is something to happen on a special day while we’re trying to raise money for the kids,“ Watkins said.
Watkins says the day is extremely special for his department because former Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy co-founded the Memphis to Peoria run in 1982.
Watkins says his deputies signed up almost immediately to fill the positions providing coverage for the runners.
The fund-raising results for the nearly 2,500 runners will be tallied during the St. Jude Telethon from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday on WEEK-TV.
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