Kids at the 5K
Jul. 7th, 2013 12:29 pmChildren and 5Ks: are they a good match?
As far as I am concerned, the answer is yes - as long as they are ready to play in the big people's race. Physical activity is good for kids. Learning to be persistent, follow through and finish the race can be powerful lessons for children. There's always that sense of accomplishment when they cross the finish line, and if they're doing a race that hands out finisher medals, it's likely that they will treasure theirs.
However, unfortunately, all too many parents let their kids into 5 and 10Ks without ensuring that they're ready and able to handle it. Doing an organized race isn't the same as taking a walk through your neighborhood or running on your own. You're co-existing with a lot of other runners, and it's important to understand how to do that.
Kids who are poorly behaved at races can really ruin the experience. There's one race in particular I am thinking of - Race for Success- that I will absolutely never do again, because the kids on the course made it almost impossible to run.
1. If they can't mind their manners, keep them in the kids' race.
These things are more than rude: they're dangerous to both your child and other runners. I can't count the number of times I've seen kids get stepped on or involved in collisions at races. You can't blame the runners; if a kid darts in front of them quickly and the course is crowded, they may or may not have the time or ability to stop or veer to the side. If they are, they might be risking injury. Nobody deserves an ACL tear because they had to quickly pivot to avoid your kid.
The bottom line is that if your kids can't understand basic manners, they don't belong in the adult race. There's no shame at all in letting your kid do the children's race instead.
2. You are responsible for your child. Not me. Keep them close to you and supervise them. You, as a parent or guardian, have full responsibility for your child. I, as a random stranger, do not, and should not. It's not my job to watch your kid. If you must take your 3 or 5 year old to an adult race, for God's sake, keep them under your control and don't let them wander alone through the throngs of runners. This will also help you with point #1.
3. Teach your kid how the race works. A lot of kids at races seem to think they have to get in front of everyone. They don't get that times are recorded individually, and they're not even in the same age category as the people they are trying to cut off. Letting your kid know that they are just competing against other children for their times and placement might help with points #1 and #2.
4. Know your kid and don't overwork him/her. Not every 5 or 7 year old is going to be up to doing a 5 or 10K race. That's exactly why they have the shorter distances at the kids' events.
5. Keep your kid away from the front-of-the-pack runners. No, I'm not one myself. However, in talking to friends, they have told me that it's very frustrating - and again, dangerous for all involved - when they're starting a race and trying to get themselves into a good pace, and they end up dodging all the kids who ignored the pacing signs and insisted on being at the very front of the line.
6. Your stroller is not a battering ram. Your stroller is there to transport your child. It is not there as a weapon to ram into other people's feet and shins. Don't tailgate other runners and you won't have to worry about this one. Also, when you're coming through a crowd in a stroller, it's polite to say "excuse me" instead of barging through the crowd, using your stroller to clear the way for you. The fact that you are a mom, dad, aunt, uncle or grandparent doesn't mean that you can't be an asshole.
7. Consider getting your child involved with a running group. There are many on both the local and national levels. these clubs will give your child valuable race training, teach her/him the rules and etiquette they are expected to follow on the course, and get him/her involved in special races. Girls on the Run is a good one and is open to everyone; Students Run LA is another, and is geared toward at-risk kids. A lot of Ys and community centers also have road running or track clubs open to kids.
www.girlsontherun.org/
http://srla.org/