DOWNERS GROVE – In an effort to help battle childhood illnesses, a dedicated group of runners set off from the Midwestern University Campus in Downers Grove on Aug. 1 to run about 160 miles to Peoria.
This marks the 16th year that Midwestern University has hosted the kick-off of the annual St. Jude Chicago-to-Peoria relay-style run.
The run is part of a nationwide effort to support the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the largest childhood cancer research center in the world. Since 1982, the runs have raised more than $31 million for research and assistance to children undergoing treatment at St. Jude.
This year, the Chicago to Peoria Run netted more than $346,000 for the St. Jude’s kids, according to a press release.