the 14th Annual Run For Kids Challenge

10K and 12 Hour Trail Race

and THE

1/2 Mile Kids Run

Presented by Dr. Beau Beard and the F.A.R.M. (Functional Athletic Rehabilitation & Movement)

Marathon Runs’ Photos from the 2023 Run for Kids Challenge

Register at Ultrasignup.com

SWAG Cutoff is Monday, April 21st.

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"

The Run for Kids Challenge 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 over $100,000.

The Run for Kids 12 Hour and 10K and new for 2024, the 0.5 Mile “Kids Half” for kids only.

The Run for Kids Challenge takes place 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. The 10K and 12 hour both start at 7:00 AM. The Kids Half will start after the 10K runners finish. The Kids Half is presented by Dr. Beau Beard, and approved by Dr. Sloan Beard and Family. The run is Sponsored by The F.A.R.M. “Functional Athletic Rehabilitation & Movement.”

Entry fee for the Kids Half is $0.00 (But we would really appreciate a donation to Smile-A-Mile)

The Run for Kids Course

The Course:
The race 10K and 12 Hour 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 almost back to the Cedar Pavilion, There runners will shift to a horse trail for about 200 yards before returning to the pavilion. This is the end of the first lap which is 3.26 miles in length. The 10K will be two laps of the course. After 10 1/2 hours of circling the lake, 12 hour runners can switch to a short, 0.84 mile loop. The final 15 minutes will be run on a 582 ft. loop.

Weekend Schedule - All Races Start at 7:00 AM

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday May 2nd, 4:30 to 5:30 PM - Packet Pickup and Late Registration location to be announced.

Saturday May 3rd, 5:45 to 6:45 AM - Packet Pickup and Late Registration is at the Cedar Pavilion at Oak Mtn State Park.

Saturday May 3rd - 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 the 10K. The 10K also has Masters 40-49, Grand Master 50-59 and Ultra Grand Masters 60+ for both the male and female categories. The 10K also has 16 and under awards. There will be finisher awards for all 12 Hour finishers.

The 2025 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 3.26 mile loop and continue on that loop until 5:45 PM. You must run under the timing arch each lap, or your lap will not be counted. Starting at 5:45 PM, runners will switch to the 0.84 mile family trial. All runners will them continue on the 0.84 mile loop until 6:45 PM. At that time, everyone will be switched to the 582 ft. 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, the race ends. I will be looking at the clock with my back to approaching runners. 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 of the three loops, the 3.26 mile loops, the 0.84 mile loop and the 582 ft. 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 three HuTags assigned to each bib will be the actual bib number and 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 hours, 45 minutes, 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 582 ft. 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. I you are running the 12 hour, it is a very good idea to wear “Crew Length Socks” or longer. 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.