In 1979, at the first race in her honor, Karen Lawrence was recuperating from a bone-marrow transplant that doctors hoped would help her overcome leukemia.
Her mother, Phyllis Lawrence of Signal Mountain, remembers that Karen fired the gun to start the race, which started at midnight that first New Year’s Eve, and personally counted the proceeds.
“We raised $2,000 that year,” said Mrs. Lawrence. “She sat in the middle of the floor at the Sports Barn and counted the money with her granddaddy and dad.”
Karen died three months later at age 11. Since Karen’s death, her twin sister, Kim, and brother, Mike, have handled starting-gun duties, a custom since passed down to their children. Mike, who lives on Signal Mountain, has children ages 20 and 17. Kim, of Knoxville, has a 4-year-old and 1-year old.
“It’s just been a big family tradition,” said Mrs. Lawrence.
The annual race, which features a 4-mile main race and 2-mile fun run/walk, will open for day-of registration at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Sports Barn, 301 Market St. Registration fee is $30. The fun run begins at 6:30 p.m., and the four-mile race follows at 7.
Over the past 29 years, the Karen Lawrence Run for St. Jude’s has raised more than $400,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Last year, 648 runners and walkers chipped in another $28,000.
Those who would rather not run are welcome to make donations and enjoy entertainment during the event by local singer Tim Veazey.
For more information, call Mrs. Lawrence at 886-3547.
Lisa Denton is deputy features editor and content editor of Current. She previously was a lifestyle, entertainment and region reporter/pod leader for The Chattanooga Times, which she joined in 1983. Lisa is from Sale Creek and holds an associate’s degree in journalism from Chattanooga State Community College. Contact Lisa at 423-757-6281 or ldenton@timesfreepress.com.
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