Hundreds of kids race in preparation for March 28 Covenant Kids Run

Covenant Kids Run officially underway after dash at
Zoo Knoxville on Jan. 25

Family members, friends, fitness enthusiasts and educators cheered as children from across East Tennessee ran, walked and skipped across Zoo Knoxville to kick off the Covenant Kids Run.

The one-mile fun run, part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, encourages children to complete a 26.2-mile marathon over the course of two months. The Jan. 25 event at Zoo Knoxville officially jump-started the exercise program and is intended to encourage children to stay active.

Children in the eighth grade and younger across East Tennessee participated in the Covenant Kids Run kickoff at Zoo Knoxville. The children will log a full 26.2 miles of walking, running or the exercise equivalent, such as 30 minutes of active playtime, leading up to the March 28 finale during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race weekend; image submitted

“The Covenant Kids Run kickoff is both fun and inspiring,” said Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman. “Running with the beautiful backdrop of Zoo Knoxville while being encouraged throughout the route brought smiles to so many faces. Thousands of miles will be tracked by these children between now and the Covenant Kids Run in March.

“Even if you missed the kickoff at the zoo, families can still register their kids and start their progress toward a personal marathon.”

Registration is open at knoxvillemarathon.com. The children will complete the last mile of their personal marathon together on Saturday, March 28, when the Covenant Kids Run starts on the Clinch Avenue Viaduct near the Sunsphere, continues through the Fort Sanders neighborhood and ends back at World’s Fair Park.

Children in the eighth grade and younger can participate in the Covenant Kids Run. Each child who registers also can download the free mileage log to track 25 miles of walking, running or the exercise equivalent, such as 30 minutes of active playtime, leading up to the March 28 finale during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race weekend.

Each child that participates in the Covenant Kids Run also will earn one point for his or her school in the Fittest School Challenge, a competition among area schools. Schools register for the Covenant Kids Run and provide a total student enrollment count. The top five schools in the small school (fewer than 300 students) and large school (301+ students) categories with the highest percentage of student participation in the race win prize money and a Fittest School Challenge plaque.

“Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon isn’t limited to 26.2-mile races,” Altman added. “With a full marathon, relays races, half marathon, 5K and Covenant Kids Run, there’s an option for every level of ability and every member of the family. Whether you walk, jog or run, the entire family can participate in a health activity during race weekend March 28-29. We’d love to have your family register now and join us for the fun!”

For more information and to register for the Covenant Kids Run and all races, visit knoxvillemarathon.com.

About the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is a premier event organized by the Knoxville Track Club, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the encouragement of physical well-being through running and walking.

Published January 25, 2020