Jo Dee Messina to host third annual St. Jude Music Row Road Race

Country music star Joe Dee Messina will host the third annual St. Jude Music Row Road Race on Saturday, April 9, 2011, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The event will include a 5K and a one-mile fun run, both starting at the Walk of Fame Park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The race is a fundraiser for St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Race participants have the opportunity to become St. Jude Heroes and raise additional funds for the hospital by collecting donations from friends and family.

“I am thrilled to once again be a part of the St. Jude Music Row Road Race,” Messina said. “St. Jude is an amazing place that truly changes lives. What a fun way to help raise money that could possibly save the life of a child fighting cancer and other life-threatening disease.”

Other race day highlights include a St. Jude benefit concert featuring Messina at the Wildhorse Saloon. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the Wildhorse Saloon for $18 and $25. Participants who raise $250 through the St. Jude Heroes program will receive two free tickets to the concert

“I challenge everyone to come out and be a part of this event and to later join me for the benefit concert. It’s going to be a blast,”Messina said.

The one-mile fun run will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K will start at 8 a.m. Race participants can register for the 5K and the one-mile run by visiting www.musicrowroadrace.org. Registration fees for the 5K are $20 through March 25. Fees increase to $25 beginning March 26 through April 7. Registration fees are $30 April 8 – 9. The one-mile fun run entry fee will remain $10 throughout the registration period.