The SMX League, in partnership with MX Sports, has announced the continuation of the Loretta Lynn’s Lap-a-Thon Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the 45th Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship. The athlete-driven fundraising event extends the Love Moto Stop Cancer initiative to the country’s largest amateur motocross event, scheduled for 2-8 August 2026 at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
More than 1,500 of the world’s best amateur racers will compete across 36 classes during race week at The Ranch. Each competitor will contest at least three motos throughout the week, culminating in champions being crowned on Saturday, 8 August. The event will feature 108 total motos over the course of the week, accumulating more than 36,000 laps raced.
The Lap-a-Thon provides a unique opportunity for every individual lap to count towards raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its 64-year commitment to fighting childhood cancer. Each racer has the opportunity to register and begin their fundraising journey, where family, friends, and sponsors can simultaneously provide athlete support and contribute to the cause.
“Loretta Lynn’s has always represented the very best of the motocross family and the St. Jude Lap-a-Thon gives our riders, families, and industry partners a chance to come together for something bigger than racing,” said Tim Cotter, Director, MX Sports. “Every rider who qualifies for the Ranch has earned a special opportunity, and through this programme they can use that opportunity to help children and families who are facing much bigger battles. We are proud to support St. Jude and encourage every Loretta Lynn’s family to get involved, raise support, and ride with purpose.”
Athletes can register to join the Love Moto Stop Cancer initiative and become a St. Jude fundraiser. Participants will be provided with campaign tools to have donors sponsor the number of laps they complete during the event. Each athlete that registers will receive a St. Jude sticker to affix to their official number plate, signifying they are racing for the mission: Finding Cures. Saving Children.
A decade into its partnership with St. Jude, the SMX League has raised more than $3.5 million for the hospital through various annual fundraising campaigns. These include the Love Moto Stop Cancer text-to-donate t-shirt campaign, the Love Moto Stop Cancer Race, the St. Jude Supercross online auction, Ken Roczen’s Kickstart for A Cause bike giveaway sweepstakes, and the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Love Moto Stop Cancer Golf Tournament.
Photo: MX Sports Media
