MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — How far would you run to help families with kids in St. Jude Children’s Hospital? Well for a group of people in Monticello their answer is 90 miles. And they began that long journey today. A journey that will take these runners around 22 hours. The good news is they aren’t doing it all themselves.

“We’re a team. Segments are 3 to 5 miles apiece and people run as much or as little as they want of it.” said Co-coordinator Mary Alexander.

And together this group of people from Monticello — Champaign — and Decatur is trekking to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Peoria.

“You don’t always think about the how much harder it is for kids and for parents of kids who are dealing with this stuff, things like this can help.” said runner Haiden Mast.

Each runner had to raise at least one-thousand dollars to lace up and take part. For Mast and Chloe Trimble — this cause was something they wanted to do together — even on a day typically meant for yourself.

“This is our 21st birthday and we wanted to make it a little bit more meaningful.” said Trimble, “His birthday is today and mine is tomorrow.”

And for Alexander — she has a personal connection to the care St. Jude provides.

“There’s also some local kids that I run for, Eddie and Bryant, they both are currently St Jude patients and both are doing well.” said Alexander.

She says so far, their small-town team has made a huge difference. They’ve raised almost 700,000 dollars over 13 years. And Alexander says they’re on track to raise more than 80-thousand, which would be the most ever in one year.

A lot of hard work goes into it — but they say in the end it’s all worth it.

“As we get closer to Peoria the families and the kids are lining the roads, cheering for us, holding up signs. I’m here because you’re running. It’s a huge motivator to see that kind of inspiration.” said Alexander.

Even though they’ve taken off there is still time to donate here.