(CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – The third annual Five Points of Life Kids Marathon will challenge youth in kindergarten through eighth grade. For a limited time, registration is free.

Deadline for free registration will be March 5. The marathon will be held on April 5 at Joe Davis Stadium, 3125 Leeman Ferry Road SW in Huntsville. Runners and walkers will gather at 8:45 a.m. The marathon will start at 9 a.m.

“The Five Points of Life Kids Marathon offers a fun way to get kids up and moving, while also teaching lessons on helping others,” Tamara Watts with Lifesouth Community Blood Centers said.

Lifesouth started the Five Points of Life Foundation in 1997 as a way to raise awareness of the five ways to share life with others through the donation of blood, apheresis (platelets), marrow, cord blood and organ/tissue, Watts said.

The Five Points of Life Foundation hosts 10 events across Alabama, Georgia and Florida, including the marathon in Huntsville.

This year, Jerry Damson Honda and Acura is presenting the event. “A marathon is 26.2 miles. These participants will be running or walking that distance a little bit at a time, logging their distance as they go,” Watts said.

The children’s goal is to reach the 25-mile mark by April 5 and then run or walk the final 1.2 miles around and through the home of the Huntsville Stars to reach the goal.

“The run does promote fitness and goal setting. A participant signing up now still has time to reach the mileage goal walking or running,” Five Points of Life Foundation Director Brite Whitaker said.

Each participant will receive a T-shirt. At the finish line, participants will take a completion medal.

After March 5, registration increases to $5. On April 4-5, registration will be $10. Registration forms and log sheets are available at fivepointsoflife.com/2011/02/10/kids-marathon-huntsville or Active.com.

LifeSouth’s address is Madison is 8190 Madison Blvd. For more information, call Watts at 256-533-8252, email to trwatts@lifesouth.org or visit fivepointsoflife.org.