Registration is now open for the Annual Miles for Meso 5K Run & 3K Fun Run/Walk in Alton, Illinois. The race will take place on Sat., Sept. 28, and is expected to draw over a thousand runners, walkers and supporters to historic Alton—30 minutes from downtown St. Louis.
Interested participants who cannot attend the race in-person have the option to sign up for this year’s Virtual Race.
Now in its 11th year, Miles for Meso celebrates National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Founded by Simmons Hanly Conroy in 2009, the Alton event will take place at the law firm’s national headquarters and is organized by the Metro Tri Club—a local fitness group that promotes physical health and wellness.
Over the years, race participants have managed to raise $680,000 for mesothelioma research and awareness, with events across the United States—in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, Washington, Texas and Florida.
“Every year as the date for Miles for Meso approaches, we can feel the excitement among our mesothelioma community grow,” said John Simmons, chairman and founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy. “Even on its eleventh year, more than a thousand people show up to support the cause, spread mesothelioma and asbestos awareness, and have fun. We’re looking forward to it.”
Support Mesothelioma Research and Advocacy by Joining Us Virtually
The Miles for Meso race is open to all skill and fitness levels, and it costs the same to participate whether you’re racing or walking. If you’re unable to make it to Alton this year but would like to support the cause, you can sign up for the Virtual Race.
Virtual participants will receive a long-sleeve, moisture-wicking shirt to be worn on race day. They are encouraged to form teams and upload photos to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #MilesforMeso.
Virtual registration costs $33 and must be done before Sept. 13 in order to receive the shirt in time for race day. The cost includes shipping and handling for the shirt.
Get Ready to Race!
Participants who plan to run or walk in Alton can sign up anytime between now and race day, but registration costs increase as race day approaches. Early registration lasts until Aug. 30 and costs $25. The regular registration period is from Aug. 30 to Sept. 13 and costs $30. Late registration costs $35 and lasts until Sept. 21. After that, or on race day itself, participants will pay $40. All registration proceeds go directly to the race’s charity.
Cash prizes are available for top-place finishers. For the 5K race, the top five runners will receive $500, $250, $200, $100 and $50, respectively. There are also medals available for the top three placers in each age group, and all participants who finish the race will receive a prize as well.
As in past years, the 2019 Miles for Meso race will be, first and foremost, about the fight against mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. For the sixth straight year, proceeds will go to the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO).
Since it was founded in 2004, the ADAO has worked to raise awareness of asbestos-related illnesses and fought for a global ban on the industrial and commercial use of asbestos. Last year’s race raised $25,000 for the organization. Since the ADAO first partnered with Miles for Meso in 2013, race participants have managed to raise a total of $155,000 for the charity.
With such a noble cause at its back, Miles for Meso has positioned itself as a source of hope and optimism in the fight against mesothelioma. This year’s race is expected to be no different.
