From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM – This Saturday, Feb. 10 at 11:00 a.m. 5,400 children will race to the finish line at Linn Park in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon.
According to the event’s website, the five-month run/walk endurance building program is designed for children kindergarten (k5) through 5th grade.
Within the course of five months, children train to run the distance of a full marathon (26.2 miles) and run the last mile on race day.
Although there are no official winners, the event is timed so children and parents can chart their process from the beginning of their training in September until the day of the race.
The kids’s marathon motto is “if you had fun, you won”.
Once children reach the finish line they will receive a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon finisher’s medal, which is a miniature version of the Mercedes Marathon finisher’s medal.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been the title sponsor of the marathon for the last seven years and is proud to have record-breaking participation in this year’s event.
“Blue Cross recognizes the importance of supporting events like the Kids Mercedes Marathon,” said Koko Mackin, Vice-President of Corporate Communications and Community Relations.
“The record number in participants in this year’s marathon is very encouraging.
Studies show that childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being, so it is critical that we take the needed steps to help teach children how to be healthy both now and for life.”
For more information about the 2018 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon visit www.mercedesmarathon.com.