Run for Kids Challenge
at Oak Mountain State Park - June 15, 2024
Run for Kids 10K and 12 Hour Challenge
the 2024 Run For Kids Challenge
10K and 12 Hour Trail Race
Marathon Runs’ Photos from the 2023 Run for Kids Challenge
2023 Results
Shirt Cutoff is Monday, June 3rd. Register on Ultrasignup.com is open
Run for Kids, a Fundraiser for Smile-A-Mile
Smile-A-Mile’s mission is to provide hope, healing of the spirit and love for the whole family during the childhood cancer journey. Through year-round meaningful and educational programming, Smile-A-Mile helps those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer thrive during treatment and the years beyond.
Learn what Smile-A-Mile is all about at "Smile-A-Mile.com"
Run for Kids donates 100% of race proceeds, beyond basic expenses (shirts, awards and food - and we try to get those donated) to Smile-A-Mile. We encourage runners to raise additional donations. We have not kept up with actually donations, but I would guess we have raised close to $100,000.
The Run for Kids 12 Hour and 10K
The Run for Kids is back at Oak Mountain State Park. The run will start at the Cedar Pavilion, located at the south end of Double Oak Lake, the swimming and canoeing lake. The pavilion is deep in the woods behind the large parking lot at the end of Terrace Drive. Both races will start at 7:00 AM.
The Run for Kids Course
The Course:
The race will start on the road in front of the pavilion. Runners will head north along the road, then follow a walking path, then the sidewalk for a short distance. Leave the path and cross the beach area and continue to, and along a boardwalk on the lake. Leave the boardwalk and follow the paved road a short distance, then cut off to your left down toward the water. Cut across a grassy area by the canoe rental area and marina to Terrace Drive. Run along Terrace to the "Lake Trail." Turn left on the Lake Trail and circle around Double Oak Lake, cross the dam and continue on the Lake Trail to a water only aid station located near the start pavilion. You will turn around at the aid station and run back along the Lake Trail to the Rattle Snake Ridge Trail. Go left on Rattle Snake Ridge and continue until you return to the aid station at Cedar. This is the end of the 10K race and the end of the first lap of the 12 Hour Challenge. After 10 1/2 hours of circling the lake, runners can switch to a short, one mile loop. The final 10 minutes will be run on a 400 yard loop.
Weekend Schedule - All Races Start at 7:00 AM
Friday June 14th, 4:30 to 5:30 PM - Packet Pickup and Late Registration is at the Mountain High Outfitters Oak Mountain Store, 2000 Oak Mountain Park Rd, Pelham, AL 35124
Google Maps Location of the MHO Store near Oak Mountain State Park
Saturday June 15th - 6:00 to 6:48 AM - Packet Pickup and Late Registration is at the Cedar Pavilion at Oak Mtn State Park.
Saturday June 15th - 7:00 AM - Start of the 10K and 12 Hour Trail Races at the Cedar Pavilion.
Awards for RFK: We give 1, 2 & 3 Overall, Male and Female for 10K and 12 Hour distances. The 10K and 12 hour also has Masters 40 - 49, Grand Master 50 - 59 and Ultra GM 60+ Male and Female. The 10K also has 14 and under awards. There will be finisher awards for all 12 Hour finishers.
The 2023 Run for Kids Challenge Course
The 10K is two laps of the 3.3 Mile Loop. Pass under the arch to complete your first lap and again to finish.
12 Hour runners will start on the 3.3 mile loop and continue on that loop until between 10.5 and 11 hour into the race. You must run under the arch each lap, or your lap will not be counted. Starting at 5:30 PM, runners may switch to the 0.9 mile family trial. At 6:00 PM we will close the 3.1 mile loop. All runners will them continue on the one mile loop until 6:45 PM. At that time, everyone will be switched to the 400 yard, third loop. Runners will continue lapping the small loop until exactly 7:00 PM, (or 12 hours on the race clock,) when I will fire the gun. You must be across the timing mat before the gun goes off or your lap will not count!
12 HOUR RUNNERS: We are doing things a bit different this year. Each loop distance, the 3.3 mile loops, the 1 mile loop and the 400 yd. loop will be timed as a separate race. You will be required to change out HuTag timing chips when you switch to the new distance. Each 12 hour runner will be assigned three HuTags, with 3 consecutive numbers, at the start. Each runner will also receive a Bib. The bib will not be exchanged. The bib will be your official number. The HuTags assigned to that bib will be the next two consecutive chip numbers. That is, if your bib# is 30, Your first HuTag will be #30. You will also be assigned HuTag 31 and 32.
You will run the first 10 1/2 to 11 hours wearing bib # 30 and HuTag #30. HuTag 31 & 32 will be held in the timing tent. When you switch to the one mile loop you must stop by the timing tent and trade out HuTags and pick up #31. At 6:45, when runners switch to the 400 yd. loop, you must again stop at the timing tent and exchange HuTag 31 for # 32. We realize this will slow you down just few seconds, but it will slow everyone down a little. Runners have always had to stop at the timing tent to tell us when they switched laps so this will be no different. If you do not exchange HuTags and continue running with HuTag 30 when you change loops, your shorter laps will no longer be recorded.
If you are not familiar with HuTags, they are the timing chips that strap to your ankle with Velcro. The timing chip itself sits on a neoprene strap about two inches wide. The Velcro wraps around the neoprene and takes just a second to attach or remove. It is a very good idea to wear “Crew Length Socks” or longer, if you are running the 12 hour. If the HuTag is a bit loose, it can bounce up and down and cause a raw spot on your ankle. If it’s too tight, that can also be uncomfortable.
When you finish, please return your HuTag to the Timing Tent.
REGISTER AT ULTRASIGNUP
