As the 11th anniversary of the Joplin tornado approaches, Joplin Memorial Run organizers look to the future
By Savanah Bandy
“We want to honor the memory but still create a fun experience. I enjoy trying to rise to that challenge and continue an event that has become a symbol in our community.” – Ruth Sawkins, Race Director
With last year’s milestone event commemorating 10 years after the Joplin tornado, organizers of the Joplin Memorial Run are seeking ways to reimagine the event.
One way they are doing so is with this year’s logo, which displays a section of historic buildings in downtown Joplin – an area not directly affected by the tornado.
“We want to keep ‘memorial’ in the name, and we’ll never forget the 161 lives lost, but we want to shift away from the tornado itself and have a more positive, forward-thinking focus and focus on what a great town Joplin is,” said Ruth Sawkins, race director.
Reflecting that goal, proceeds from this year’s event will go toward building a 17-foot sculpture honoring the 161 lives lost in the Joplin tornado to be placed at the southeast corner of the plaza at the new Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, 407 South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Sawkins said the changes have come as a direct result of feedback from race participants and the community at large.
“I think every year we have different challenges to overcome, and going into our 11th year, obviously, our challenge is the mindset shift away from the tornado so we can continue to keep the event relevant,” she said.
Other changes this year will be updated courses with fewer hills and efforts to prevent bottlenecking runners experienced last year on Maiden Lane.
Also new this year, all races except the Sign Designs Kid’s Run will begin at the same time.
For the second year, events will take place at Cunningham Park, located at West 26th Street and South Maiden Lane, rather than the downtown Memorial Hall location due to construction of The Cornell Complex.
“We had great feedback from runners and the city about the overall flow of the event last year,” Sawkins said. “We loved being in Cunningham Park because of the significance to the tornado there. It worked really well, and we had a lot more open space and green space than we do downtown. We are in the process of trying to decide if we should move back downtown or stay at Cunningham Park. It’s a decision we have to evaluate.”
Over the last decade, the Joplin Memorial Run has been the city’s premier tornado memorial event and one of the largest and most well-attended events in Joplin’s history. Sawkins anticipates the Joplin Memorial Run will continue to evolve and remain a big draw for years to come.
“We want to honor the memory but still create a fun experience,” she said. “I enjoy trying to rise to that challenge and continue an event that has become a symbol in our community.”
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 6
12:30-7 pm
Late registration and packet pickup at Cunningham Park
Saturday, May 7
5:30-6:30 am
Late registration and packet pickup at Cunningham Park
6:45 am
All races start (except kid’s)
Freeman Half Marathon
US Bank Relay
Sparklight 10K
Liberty 5K
10:30 am
Course closed for all races
11 am
Sign Designs Kid’s Run ½ Mile
Mark Your Calendar for Future Rufus Racing Events:
Summer Roundup Triathlon – July 10, 2022
Trifest for MS presented by Intradeco – September 2-4, 2022
Chilly 5K – January 1, 2023