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Original poster

Junior parkrun

14 replies

2022IamHavingYa · 30/12/2021 21:24

Does anybody take their 4 years olds to junior parkrun?

I am an avid park runner and used to do it with my son in his running buggy. We stopped this a year ago as son disliked it. He will be 4 in spring and is very active.

I try and do the odd park run when I can get somebody to watch him for me for an hour so we'd like to start doing the junior version.

Im just worried he won't comply or will get bored. Does anybody have a 4 year old that does it and how much do they enjoy it?

Thanks

OP posts:
Flangeosaurus · 30/12/2021 21:28

We don’t park run (yet - I’ve just had a baby and want to take the 4 yo once I’ve recovered properly) but I’ve been running 1-3km with him since he was about 3.5yo and he LOVES running with me. It’s not a proper run for me as it’s quite stop start, he’s either going hell for leather or he’s stopped dead to look at something but he really enjoys it and I think he’ll like park run when we can get to one. I got him some proper trainers and a high vis vest because he wanted one like me Grin

Guardup · 30/12/2021 21:37

I love a Parkrun on a Saturday and take my children on a Sunday.

We are always at the back and I don’t think they massively enjoy it- until after we’ve finished and then they are over joyed they’ve completed it. Plus every week so far is a PB. I feel bad for the tail as we probably add 10 mins to the volunteers day!

Just do it I’d say. Loads of 4 year olds at mine that are practically dragged round by their running parents!

Xx

Guardup · 30/12/2021 21:38

So mine are 11, 9 and 4 x

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4 year olds
Original poster
2022IamHavingYa · 30/12/2021 22:09

Thank you all. We are going to start ‘training’ for it in the new year. I love the idea of new running shoes and a high viz! He would be well chuffed with that

OP posts:
Flangeosaurus · 30/12/2021 22:13

Mine is immensely keen on medals so we’ve done a few virtual charity runs, he was beside himself to get a medal in the post!

Mackmama · 30/12/2021 22:14

It’s great! Took my little boy from him being 4, he got a running top and a fake Fitbit (I think it was about £5 from Amazon) for his 4th birthday from a family member. He was sometimes not up for it at the beginning so we didn’t push him but now a couple of years later, he’s into it and I can’t keep up with him any more!

jgw1 · 30/12/2021 22:15

@2022IamHavingYa

Does anybody take their 4 years olds to junior parkrun?

I am an avid park runner and used to do it with my son in his running buggy. We stopped this a year ago as son disliked it. He will be 4 in spring and is very active.

I try and do the odd park run when I can get somebody to watch him for me for an hour so we'd like to start doing the junior version.

Im just worried he won't comply or will get bored. Does anybody have a 4 year old that does it and how much do they enjoy it?

Thanks

Many are the time we have had 4yo or younger as our tailwalker. Why not take them to junior parkrun?
Notdoingthis · 30/12/2021 22:23

My 6 year old has been going for about a year and there are younger ones. Such a great atmosphere.

megletthesecond · 30/12/2021 22:25

I volunteer sometimes and the 4yr olds at the back are fairly enthusiastic and usually accompanied by parents. They've usually abandoned running and are just spudding along merrily at the back.

Original poster
2022IamHavingYa · 30/12/2021 22:35

I think I’ll take him from April. What is the worst that will happen… 😂

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 30/12/2021 22:48

My 6 year old started when he turned 4 and my 4 year old started as soon as he could.

Be prepared that they might moan a bit, mine both did about half way round (it's a two lap course so can be a bit demoralising when you are back at the start for lap 2) but we never had them not finish a run. My four year old is often in the last couple of runners but he's small for his age and one of the youngest there is usually, so be prepared for that too in case you have a child who is bothered about that kind of thing.

But definitely go, what's the worst that could happen?! If he doesn't like it then leave it a few months and try again.

mistermagpie · 30/12/2021 22:50

Sorry I should also have said - they both love it! I don't take the 6 year old often now because he also does rugby on a Sunday morning and it's a bit too much to do both, but my 4 year old loves it. We make it into a game, chasing each other, cops and robbers type of thing and he loves that. We also have a two year old so we do it with her in the pram and he likes to race her. It's good fun.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/12/2021 22:51

I used to take DS when he was 4. He ran it no problem (apart from occasional toilet breaks). It was actually easier to get him out of the house early on a Sunday morning at that age.

BogRollBOGOF · 30/12/2021 23:41

Mine have been going since 4, 8 & 11 now and approaching 100 runs!

April is a good time to start as if they do go run/ plod/ run/ plod, it can be a bit cold mid-winter, and it's important that it's fun.

We have a two lap course, and there's been plenty of times mine haven't had the mood and have just done one lap, but are happy to return. At 5, they launched off and ran it at their own pace and could run-all.

I've been volunteeing for a few years now and have seen little children become regulars and growing and getting faster. I love it!

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