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In an effort to develop active lifestyle habits in kids, organizations across Birmingham are dedicated to programs, events and more to foster the health and wellness of local children.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) is one of these organizations, and they host the Kids Marathon every year, where kids across the state complete a marathon over the course of five months. On Saturday, February 21, local kiddos will gather to complete their final mile, with crowds filled with their families and friends cheering them on.
But there’s more to it than just the run: This year, all participants will be wearing a T-shirt designed by a local first grader.
Keep reading for details on this fitness and community-filled day—and how you can still sign up through February 18!
How does the Kids Marathon work?
Kids across Alabama log 25.2 miles over five months, then run their last mile together. (BCBSAL)
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Marathon is an innovative, endurance-building program for Kindergarten through 5th graders.
Rather than running all 26.2 miles on race day, the Kids Marathon spans several months, making it much easier to complete while also encouraging kids to stay active. Here’s how it works:
- Fall training: Over five months leading up to race day, kids run a total of 25.2 miles in smaller segments—either 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, or 1 mile at a time.
- Tracking progress: Kids can run these miles with a parent, in PE class or both + track their progress along the way.
- Race day: Kids gather at Spain Park High School to complete the final mile of their marathon as a group.
It’s a fun and engaging way to help kids build endurance and celebrate their achievements.
The race day T-shirt was designed by a local first grader
Meet Luke: The winner of this year’s Kids Marathon T-shirt design contest (BCBSAL)
This year, the Kids Marathon team introduced a new element to the event, and another fun way for the kids themselves to get involved: A T-shirt design contest!
Children across Alabama submitted their designs to be featured on the runner’s shirt, themed to honor America’s 250th birthday. The winner was Luke, a first grader from Gwin Elementary School in Hoover.
You can still sign up for the 2026 Kids Marathon
There’s still time to sign up for the Kids Marathon and get a cool T-shirt:
The Kids Marathon is one of many ways Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama works to improve the health and wellness of children (and adults!) across the state. Learn more about how BCBSAL is building a healthier and happier Birmingham.
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