About the Final Mile

Each year, more than 2,500 elementary school students from 167 schools in Virginia and across the U.S. participate in the Operation Smile Final Mile to get fit and raise money for Operation Smile.

The Operation Smile Final Mile is part of The Shamrock Sportsfest, held March in Virginia Beach, Va. The Operation Smile Final Mile is designed to teach children the importance of exercise, commitment and helping children born with facial deformities.

Students run for months to complete 25.2 miles and on March 21-22, 2010, they run their "final mile" for a total of 26.2 miles, the equivalent of one marathon.

After the Operation Smile Final Mile, runners gathered in the finish line tent for the post-race celebration which included music, raffles and the Silly Shamrock Contest. 

Operation Smile Final Mile participants have raised a total of $160,000 helping more than 660 children suffering from cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities receive free corrective surgery.

Brigette Magee Clifford helps coordinate the Operation Smile Final Mile. Brigette is the eldest daughter of Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, Co-founders of Operation Smile. She began her involvement with Operation Smile when she traveled to the Philippines at 13 years of age. Today, Brigette is the mother of four young children and encourages her children to continue the family tradition to "pay it forward."

Clifford said, “"I just love the opportunity the Final Mile platform offers to young students. To know that many of the kids have gone the extra mile to help children around the world is just priceless. Operation Smile is grateful for this chance to empower and energize these students in such a positive way. It's kids helping kids and it doesn't get any better than that!"