Run For Kids Challenge
Pelham, United States • 9 May 2026
Event Overview
The Run for Kids Challenge is a trail race held at Oak Mountain State Park. It supports childhood cancer awareness and children's charities, with proceeds benefiting the Alabama nonprofit Smile-A-Mile. The event has raised over $100,000 for the cause since its inception.
Race Distances
Participants can choose from three race options.
- 10K: A race consisting of two laps around a 3.26-mile loop.
- 12-Hour Challenge: An endurance event where runners complete as many laps as possible within 12 hours.
- Kids Half: A free, 0.5-mile fun run for children.
The Course
The main 3.26-mile loop for the 10K and the initial phase of the 12-hour race starts on a road near the Cedar Pavilion. The route uses a mix of surfaces including roads, a walking path, sidewalks, a boardwalk along Double Oak Lake, grassy areas, and wooded trails. The loop features 119 feet of elevation gain. For the 12-Hour Challenge, runners switch to a shorter 0.84-mile loop for the penultimate hour, and then to a final 582-foot loop for the last 15 minutes.
Participant Information
The 10K awards recognize overall winners, masters categories (40-49), grand masters (50-59), ultra grand masters (60+), and runners aged 16 and under. All finishers of the 12-Hour Challenge receive a finisher award. Packet pickup and late registration are available on the Friday before the race and on race morning at the Cedar Pavilion. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.