February 5, 2022
Family, friends, fitness enthusiasts and educators cheered as children ran through Zoo Knoxville to kick off the Covenant Kids Run.
The one-mile fun run is part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon and encourages children to complete a 26.2-mile marathon in just less than two months. The Feb. 5 event at Zoo Knoxville marked the start of the exercise program intended to inspire active lifestyles among East Tennessee’s youth.
A group of participants take off from start line at the Covenant Kids Run kickoff race at Zoo Knoxville on Feb. 5. About 300 children attended the fun run. Through March 26, 2022, participants will complete the exercise-equivalent of a marathon and finish their last mile as part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race weekend.
“The Covenant Kids Run kickoff is always an exciting start to the marathon activities,” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “Seeing children find a love for exercise and their supporters encouraging them along the way, reminds myself and other organizers why we host this event each year. They will track thousands of miles between now and the conclusion of the Covenant Kids Run in March.
“Families still can register their kids and start their progress toward a personal marathon.”
Registration is open at knoxvillemarathon.com. Kids will complete the last mile of their marathon together on Saturday, March 26, at World’s Fair Park.
Sadie Hickman (Farragut Primary School), Graham Hickam (Farragut Primary School), Brooke Johnson (Powell Middle School) and Mollie Hickman (Farragut Primary School) sit and sip chocolate milk after completing the Covenant Kids Run kickoff race at Zoo Knoxville on Feb. 5. They’ll run their final mile at World’s Fair Park on March 26, 2022, as part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race weekend.
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 final mile on Saturday, March 26, during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race weekend.
Each child who participates in the Covenant Kids Run 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.
Beckett Prichard and Evan Vesper of Northshore Elementary smile after the Covenant Kids Run kickoff race at Zoo Knoxville on Feb. 5. They’re helping their school compete in the Fittest School Challenge. The top three schools, according to size, with the most participants will win prize money and a plaque.
“I like running in the Covenant Kids Run because I get to have fun with my friends and help my school,” said Beckett Prichard of Northshore Elementary School. “My favorite part is running at the zoo, but I’m excited to finish at World’s Fair Park and, hopefully, help my school win the prize.”
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.
