The 20th Annual Covenant Kids Run has officially started with a kickoff marked by a 1-mile run outside West Town Mall, starting and finishing at DICK’S House of Sport and attended by
hundreds of East Tennessee students racing to raise money for their schools.

The children’s run is part of the 2024 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon and encourages kids to complete the exercise equivalent of a marathon in about two months.
The schools with the highest percentage of participation will win prize money in the Fittest School Challenge, sponsored by Dollywood.

“This fun run is a favorite tradition for East Tennessee families, and we are excited to have kept it going for 20 years,” Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Race Director Jason Altman said. “We love our East Tennessee community and seeing everyone come together to support youth fitness and area schools. We appreciate DICK’S for partnering with us and West Town Mall for hosting us. It’s also not too late to register and be active with your child to achieve a personal marathon.”

Registration is open at knoxvillemarathon.com. Children will finish the final mile of their marathon together on Saturday, April 6, at World’s Fair Park.

Children in the eighth grade and younger can participate in the Covenant Kids Run. The free mileage log is available online to track 25 miles of walking, running or the exercise equivalent, such as 30 minutes of active playtime.

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 categories of small school (fewer than 300 students) and large school (301+ students) with the highest percentage of student participation in the race win prize money and a Fittest School Challenge plaque.

As the 2024 Community Partner, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley also is incentivizing participation in the Kids Run. Members can complete the marathon challenge at their local club and win titles such as club with the most participants and first club to finish the marathon challenge. Members can get involved by contacting their club.

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