One runner. 50 states. 50 consecutive days. And a goal of helping make 100 wishes come true for children with critical illnesses.

On Wednesday, September 5th, ultra-endurance athlete and philanthropist Brady McDonald will bring his Zero to 100 Wishes journey to St. Louis, inviting the community to join him for a Sunrise Wish Run benefiting Make-A-Wish.

McDonald is attempting a feat he says has never been accomplished: running a 50-kilometer race — more than 31 miles — in all 50 states over 50 consecutive days. By the time he completes the journey, McDonald will have covered approximately 1,553 miles while working to raise $1 million to help grant 100 life-changing wishes through Make-A-Wish.

St. Louis will mark Day 47 and State 47 of McDonald’s journey.

ST. LOUIS SUNRISE WISH RUN

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
6:15 a.m. — Community gathering
6:30 a.m. — Run begins
Forest Park Visitors Center Parking Lot
5595 Grand Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112

The St. Louis Sunrise Wish Run is free and open to the community. Participants can choose their own distance, including one mile, a 5K, 10K, half marathon or the full 50K. Those who don't want to run are encouraged to walk, cheer McDonald on or simply come out to show their support.

No running experience is required, and participants do not need to complete the full distance. The goal is simply to come together and help move the mission forward.

“It's not about the miles. It's not about the states. It is truly about the lives that we're trying to help,” McDonald said during a recent stop on his journey. “Ultimately, we want to grant 100 wishes. We want to put smiles on the kids’ faces and their families as well.”

At every stop along the 50-state journey, McDonald hosts a Sunrise Wish Run, giving local communities an opportunity to join him for part of the challenge. Participants can run, walk or complete any distance they choose.

“Every child facing a critical illness deserves the opportunity to experience hope, joy and the simple feeling of being a kid,” said Brian Miller, VP of Marketing & Communications at Make-A-Wish Missouri & Kansas. “We are incredibly grateful to Brady for putting his miles behind that mission and bringing the Zero to 100 Wishes journey to St. Louis. We hope the St. Louis community will come out on September 9 to cheer him on, run alongside him and help show children and families that they are not alone.”

The Zero to 100 Wishes journey began July 25 in Florida and will conclude September 12 in Hawaii. Brady and his family are documenting the journey along the way through a 50-part video series and social media updates.

Those unable to attend the St. Louis run can support the mission by making a donation to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

To learn more, join the St. Louis Sunrise Wish Run or support Zero to 100 Wishes, visit zeroto100wishes.com.