On May 22, 2011 an EF-5 tornado tore through Joplin destroying many homes, businesses, and taking 161 lives. For the first and last mile of the Joplin Memorial Marathon course, we display 161 victim banners that our runners run through. One name is on every banner displayed. On the Friday night before the event, we host the Walk of Silence which is free and open to the public. At 7:00 P.M. we have a group time and pause for reflection then Joplin street from 7th-20th is closed until 8:00 P.M. for viewing of the banners, a time of remembering, and honoring the lives lost. You can walk the whole mile down and back, you can choose to visit a few banners, or stay at one, it is up to you. We encourage people to come with their businesses, family, friends, whoever you want to be with at this time. Some groups make shirts to wear in remembrance. Our goal is to provide a time for us to remember as a community. There is no cost for this event.