Registration open for 9th Annual Miles for Meso 5K

The 9th Annual Miles for Meso 5K will be held Sept. 30, 2017 in Alton – and organizers are hoping to top last year’s fundraising efforts in their fight to raise awareness and funds for mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Established in 2009, the fun run and walk was formed by Simmons Hanly Conroy to raise funds and awareness for mesothelioma. Simmons, a leading nationwide law firm that represents mesothelioma patients and their families, joins forces with Metro Tri Club of Edwardsville, IL, to host and produce the event every year. Since its inception, the race has raised more than $400,000 for mesothelioma cancer research.

“We are excited to once again present and host this important event,” said John Simmons, Chairman and founder of Simmons Hanly Conroy. “Our firm works daily to bring justice to those diagnosed with mesothelioma, but we always strive to do more.”

For the fourth straight year, proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) – the largest independent asbestos victims’ organization in the United States. It was founded in 2004 to give asbestos victims and concerned citizens a united voice, to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure, and to work toward a global asbestos ban.

This year’s event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Simmons Hanly Conroy, located at One Court Street in Alton – across from Marquette High School. Participants can register until Aug. 31 for $25, until Sept. 19 for $30, and from Sept. 20 through race day for $35. Registration fees will include a long-sleeve, moisture-wicking shirt.

People who are unable to make it to the event are still welcome to participate via a virtual race for $30. Virtual-race participants are asked to form a team and participate on race day by running or walking wherever they are while sporting their Miles for Meso shirt and uploading a photo of their team to Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #MilesforMeso.

To register for the both the Alton race and the virtual race, visit milesformeso.org/register. Those registering on-site the day of the event will need to be there by 7:30 a.m.