Jan. 30, 2026
1-mile fun run to be held Feb. 7
The Covenant Health Kids Run kickoff will return to Zoo Knoxville on Saturday, Feb. 7, to encourage positive fitness habits, goal setting and teamwork for youth participants.
Parents can register their children at runsignup.com/Race/TN/Knoxville/KnoxvilleMarathon before the race or onsite starting at 8 a.m. The kickoff run will start at 9 a.m.
Children in eighth grade and younger are eligible to participate. Online registration is $30 plus a $2 processing fee, and covers the cost of the kick-off event, last lap race at the Covenant Kids Run on April 11, 2026, finisher medal, T-shirt, goody bag and finisher certificate. On-site registration will be available at Zoo Knoxville on Feb. 7, and payments can be made via cash, check or credit card.
“The Covenant Health Kids Run is a great way to inspire kids to enjoy physical activity and work to achieve their goals,” said Jason Altman, Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon race director. “Join us at Zoo Knoxville for a fun, healthy day out together!”
The kickoff course will wind through animal exhibits, and families can explore the zoo after with free and half-price admission.
The 1-mile fun run marks the start of the Fittest School Challenge, which motivates children to complete the exercise equivalent of a 26.2-mile marathon. The challenge ends with a final mile in World’s Fair Park during the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend on Saturday, April 11-12, 2026.
All activity counts toward the marathon goal, including running, walking and playing. Each child who participates will earn one point for his or her school, The schools with the highest participation percentage will win prize money and a plaque. The top school in the Fittest School Challenge wins $1,000 and another $4,600 in prize money is distributed across the top 10 schools. The prize money is applied at the school’s discretion to make the most positive impact, often going toward physical education programs and supplies.
In case of inclement weather on Feb. 7, the Covenant Health Kids Run kickoff will be rescheduled to Feb. 14. Visit knoxvillemarathon.com for updates.
About Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon
The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon is a premier event organized by the Knoxville Track Club, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the encouragement of physical well-being through running, jogging, competitive road racing, race-walking, fun runs, cross-country and track and field.
About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community, and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers, and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.
