Kids Marathon

Join St. Jude in encouraging health and wellness for kids!

The St. Jude Kids Marathon is a great way for kids 11 and under to participate in the marathon weekend.

Your child can walk or run 25.2 miles in the weeks leading up to race day, and then run the final mile of their marathon with a grown-up, ending at the official St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend finish line. The run will be held in the afternoon, after the other races are finished.

Younger children who would like to participate can register to run the 1-mile course on race day without completing the kids marathon.

Your child must be accompanied by an adult during the race. Adults must register themselves and their child(ren) and sign a waiver assuming responsibility on race day.

Parents are entirely responsible for their children and family members. Strollers and baby joggers are allowed; however, for safety reasons, we ask that you start in the back of the pack, regardless of whether you are walking or running.

How the kids marathon works

Step 1: Register. (If your family is fundraising, you'll be sent an email after registration with more information.)

Step 2: Download our 8-week or 12-week training plans (available soon) and keep track of your child's progress using our official mileage tracker (available soon). Our plans guide your child through all but one mile of a full marathon (26.2 miles) at their own pace.

Step 3: Submit the signed tracker at the expo, and pick up your race packet, shirt and participant bag.

Step 4: Run the final mile with your child on race day.

Step 5: Celebrate their accomplishment immediately after the race! The official post-race celebration will feature games, food and fun.

Kids also have the chance to give back — your child can accept donations on behalf of St. Jude using our donation tracking form (available soon). What a great way to teach the importance of both health and helping others!

Packet pickup and finisher medals

St. Jude Kids Marathon & 1-Mile Fun Run participants must pick up their race packets at the expo. There is no race-day packet pickup. Your participant packet will include:

official event shirt
race number (required on race day)
participant bag

After finishing the race, kids marathon and 1-mile participants will receive a finisher medal and be invited to attend the post-race celebration at the historic Peabody Hotel in the Tennessee Exhibit Hall.