Organizers preparing for Andrew Jackson Marathon

If the Andrew Jackson Marathon were a person, it could get the senior citizen discount at some restaurants and other businesses.

April 1 will mark the 51^st running of the marathon, which is the oldest annual marathon in Tennessee and 10^th oldest in the nation.

Since it is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, runners come from across the country to compete in it.

“It’s always a fun event to showcase Jackson to a few people not from around here each year,” said Cassandra Fuller, a local runner and member of the coordination committee for the marathon. “But it’s also one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Carl Perkins Center Exchange Club for the Prevention of Child Abuse.”

Each year later in the summer, Danny Crossett, the president of the Jackson Roadrunners Club, presents a check of funds raised from the marathon to center. This is in addition to the stuffed animals that are collected in conjunction with the race.

"The last few years we’ve had runners or anyone else in attendance that wanted to donate new stuffed animals – mainly teddy bears – to the Center to bring them to the race and set them on the ground lined up near the start/finish line,” Fuller said. “And we collect those animals and have them available to give to a child when they come into the Center’s care to help them relax or cope of focus during a rough time for them.”

The race moved from Union University and the north end of Madison County to Downtown Jackson and the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market in 2017. Since then, Fuller said the schedule for the race has been more stable.

“With it being at the Farmers’ Market, we can keep it on the same day each year, so that first Saturday in April is now the time when we run the Andrew Jackson Marathon every year,” Fuller said.

With the move came a new route, , which is a 13.1-mile loop that starts in Downtown, moves through Mid-town toward Carriage House Drive and works its way back to Downtown. Half-marathon runners run one lap and full marathon runners run two.

Fuller said anyone who wants to sign up to run or volunteer in the race can do so online at runAJM.com. The signup fee for the full marathon is $100 and $75 for the half. Deadline to sign up is March 28.

Fuller said about 150 volunteers are needed to help with different things from helping out at the start/finish line, helping with trophy presentations, water stations throughout the course and other things.

“We’ll take anyone who walks up and says they want to help that morning, but we appreciate anyone who lets us know beforehand online that they’re available to help,” Fuller said. “And it’s a fun event.

“So if you’re interested in coming out and helping at a community event or are a runner yourself but can’t run this year but want to be involved, let us know. We’ll appreciate your presence and help.”

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news