Peer Power Big River Crossing Race

The Peer Power Big River Crossing Race is an annual run and walk in Memphis, utilizing the Big River Crossing over the Mississippi River as its central feature. The Memphis-based Peer Power Foundation hosts this event, bringing runners, walkers, and supporters together for a nonprofit race supporting youth education. This is the race's ninth year, and its purpose is to raise support for tutoring, mentoring, college preparation, and paid student-tutor programs. The route sends participants across the Mississippi on a bridge linking communities on either side of the river. Peer Power’s work gives the race its local weight: college students tutor and mentor high schoolers, University of Memphis students are trained and paid through Earn & Learn, ACT Prep participants raise scores by an average of 3.2 points, and Summer Bridge Camp helps students prepare for college. The field includes runners and walkers, so the day is as much about backing Memphis students as it is about finishing a race.