WHY:
So many once-in-a-lifetime memories in the making!
JJK will present the award medals and be available for photos with participants. All proceeds from the 5K run and walk will benefit the Jackie Joyner-Kersee (JJK) Foundation.
ABOUT JACKIE:
Having been named by Sports Illustrated as the 'Greatest Female Athlete of the 20th Century', Jackie Joyner-Kersee's athletic credentials are unquestionably among the best ever, in all of sport. A six time Olympic medalist, including three Olympic gold medals, Joyner-Kersee dominated the Olympic heptathlon and long jump events throughout her career which spanned four Olympic Games. Astonishingly, despite the advancements in technology and training used by athletes around the world over the last two decades, Jackie Joyner-Kersee still holds the World Heptathlon Record she set over 20 years ago at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
Jackie grew up in East St. Louis and was the first woman in history to earn more than 7,000 points in heptathlon. Having also earned six Olympic medals, Kersee still holds the world heptathlon record, as well as the Olympic and national records in the long jump.
In addition to being one of the top track-and-field athletes of all time, Kersee returned home to give back to her community. She established the JJK Foundation and JJK Center in East St. Louis 23 years ago to ensure children in the area have access to high quality after-school programs and a safe environment within the community.
