HUNTSVILLE – The 2019 Five Points of Life Kids Marathon Huntsville will allow youth to experience an athletic challenge while promoting a healthy lifestyle in future years.

The Five Points of Life Foundation and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are coordinating the free event. Jerry Damson Automotive Group is presenting the marathon, hosted by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, One Tranquility Base on April 27 at 8:30 a.m.

“LifeSouth established the Five Points of Life Foundation to educate and raise awareness of the five ways to share life through the donation of blood, apheresis, marrow, cord blood and organ/tissue,” Eric Franchois said. Franchois serves as LifeSouth’s Community Development Coordinator for the North Alabama district.

The Kids Marathon, an extension of Five Points of Life Marathon, promotes good health and physical fitness by giving children the opportunity to accomplish the goal of running an entire marathon. Youth in kindergarten through eighth grade can enter.

Participants should complete 25 miles, one at a time, during weeks before the marathon. Runners will record each mile on a log sheet. To finish the full marathon, participants will run the last 1.2 miles at the Kids Marathon.

Parents can pick up packets at Aviation Challenge Bubble from 3 to 6 p.m. Packets also will be available at 7:30 a.m. on race day.

All participants will receive a race packet, race number (must be worn on race day), T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants must arrive at the start line by 8:15 a.m. and wear their race numbers.

Only one parent or guardian will be permitted to accompany each participant on the 1.2-mile run. Organizers encourage other relatives and friends to cheer for the participants during the run from the stands.

LifeSouth appreciates support from event sponsors: Blood sponsors — HealthGroup of Alabama and Huntsville Hospital; Plasma sponsors — Redstone Federal Credit Union; WZYP; and Torch Technologies.

Supporting or in-kind sponsors include Topgolf; Stars and Strikes; and Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Delta at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The Kids Marathon originated in Gainesville, Fla. in 2007 as a part of the Five Points of Life Race Weekend held each February. The Kids Marathon has expanded to 10 cities with more than 4,000 participants annually.

For registration and other event details, call 256-533-8246, email egfranchois@lifesouth.org or visit fivepointsoflife.com/kids-marathon/kids-marathon-huntsville or lifesouth.org.