By MATT PIKE
Along with the 2026 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame class, which will be enshrined next month, the St. Joseph Sports Commission has selected the recipient of the 2026 Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award.
The award is named in honor of St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021 inductee Bill Snyder. Coach Snyder, a St. Joseph native, Lafayette High School graduate, and legendary Kansas State football coach will be on hand to present the award to the 2026 winner, Terra James. A true community philanthropist in the sport of running, Terra has a passion that is unmatched by many. James has been the volunteer marketing director for the St. Joseph Marathon all four years of its existence and takes time to do countless tasks behind the scenes to help make the event a tremendous success which continues to experience a consistent amount of growth each year.
Additionally, as a proud St. Jude Hero, she has dedicated her running journey to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. James has completed the prestigious Boston Marathon, Memphis Marathon, Kansas City Marathon, and the Nashville Marathon twice, along with dozens of half-marathons and countless community races and uses every finish line as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for local causes and to support children battling catastrophic illnesses.
James is a proud member of the Measly Mile Mafia and has inspired countless others in the group to follow her footsteps by running for local and national charities, including seven fellow runners from the St. Joseph community who have become St. Jude Heroes. All seven athletes will compete in the 2026 New York City and/or Memphis Marathons with James and will have raised over $110,000 by the end of 2026. Through her leadership, she has organized numerous annual charitable races locally - including the Holiday Tutu Trot, Krug Castle Challenge, and the return of the Pony Express 5K.
James along with the 2026 Hall of Fame class consisting of 10 individual inductees, one team and the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year will be recognized on Sunday, August 23rd during the enshrinement ceremony at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center with social hour beginning at 4 PM and ceremony at 5 PM.
Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at stjomosports.com or by calling 816-233-6688.
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