Children from across East Tennessee will kick off the Covenant Kids Run with a 1-mile event at Zoo Knoxville on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 to start their personal marathon.

The event, part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, encourages children to complete a 26.2-mile marathon over two months beginning with the run at Zoo Knoxville. Each child receives a mileage log to track miles of walking, running or the exercise equivalent, such as 30 minutes of active playtime, leading up to the Covenant Kids Run in downtown Knoxville. Any physical activity counts towards the marathon goal.

The children will complete the last mile of their marathon together on Saturday, March 30. 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.

“This event brings the serious considerations about physical fitness, self-esteem and confidence in children to light in a way that is so much fun,” said Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman. “Bring your children to the Covenant Kids Run kickoff this year at Zoo Knoxville and get excited about working with them to set goals as the kids work up to the finale in March. We’re excited to see all of the smiles against the wild and beautiful backdrop of Zoo Knoxville.”

The kickoff run at Zoo Knoxville will begin at noon. The cost is $20 per child and covers both the Jan. 26 event and the Covenant Kids Run on March 30. Families can register in advance at knoxvillemarathon.com or on-site at the zoo starting at 10 a.m. the day of the event.

The registration fee also includes free admission to the zoo for the race participant and one accompanying adult for the day of the run. Any additional guests with the child will receive half-price admission.

Children in eighth grade and younger are eligible to participate in the Kids Run. Each child that participates in the Covenant Kids Run on March 30 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.

“We want to encourage healthy habits and a strong self-image through the Covenant Kids Run,” Altman said. “Setting a big goal, then seeing how it can be accomplished one step at a time is empowering.”

In case of inclement weather Jan. 26, please visit www.knoxvillemarathon.com for updates. The makeup date for cancellation due to inclement weather will be Saturday, Feb. 2.