do you think DD aged 7 will be ok running on roads unaccompanied

[boneyjonesy]

DD who is 7 wants to take part in a Fun run next weekend.We have been round the course her on feet me on bike and it is 2.25 miles (3.6Km) and run entirely on hilly bendy country roads which will be open.Now the first thing is that there is no way I am doing it and DH is busy with another DC that day.
There will be marshalls on the route particularly on junctions, but obviously not everywhere, and probably about 40 kids doing it altogether some with parents.The thing that worries me is that the roads are open and there is no verge or footpath and in parts visibility is reduced because of bends and hills although the road is quite wide (wide enough for 2 cars to pass) and on a sunday afternoon should be fairly quiet Do you think she will be ok doing it unaccompanied?

I think it would depend on who else she is running with. If she is with friends and their parents who will keep an eye on her, and watch out for her getting tired or falling, then fair enough.

I would worry a bit about that to be honest, and I am usually fairly lax.

i would not let my 7yr old do this 'alone'

if they were part of an organised group (cubs/school etc) yes, but not alone

Why can't you do it? Is she even allowed to do it unaccompanied?

I would definitely run it with her if I were you.

I don't let my 9.5 year old go running without me. We are also rural and it just isn't safe with the unpredictable traffic.

The only way I would not run it with her is if a specific adult who I knew and trusted had agreed to watch her the whole way around.

I think its crap that "there is no way you are doing it" actually

No way would I let a seven year old run on roads that were not closed. Ran 3km fun runs with both until they were 10 and they were all on closed roads too. Both cmpete in Tristar events now that continue to be on closed roads.
I'm surprised the organisers have got insurance for this.

Are you kidding? There are only about 40 children and some adults on this "fun run" so it sounds like a very small-scale event. The signage and marshalling and control of traffic is therefore going to be very limited. I wouldn't be happy doing this myself on rural roads in those circumstances, never mind letting my 7 year old do it. What will happen if she sprains her ankle or has to stop for some reason? Who is going to be responsible for getting her to the finish line?

I didn't think children as young as 7 were supposed to road run because of risks to their joints? Happy to be corrected. I wouldn't though be happy about the roads though, in case she ends up trailing / leading.

I would like to think any adult would help any child who had fallen etc and I think they have 2 or 3 marshalls on bikes if I remember correctly.The trouble is that other parents will want to run at their child's pace and if DD is slower or faster then its going to be a PITA for them.Some people are very competitive about it (kids and parents!)

Gosh, I am really easy going and allow my DC a lot of freedom, but I would not even consider this.

Is there no way that you can ask another family to allow your DD to run with them?

"I would like to think any adult would help any child who had fallen etc "

well we would all like to think that.. but you cant assume other people will take responsibility for your child. Either do the run with her, or dont let her do it.

why not ride your bike alongside her like you have done before?

any adult on a bike might help a hurt child out, but you're not prepared to put yourself out for a few hours to support your own child?

why can't you do it with your DC?

Can you do the other DCs thing and get DH to run? Why can't you do it? It's not as if she's be posting Olympian speeds at 7!

I wouldn't let her on her own, and I am usually the most relaxed parent I know. What if she falls over, stops for a breather and loses the people she's running with, needs a wee, wants to stop, etc? Either someone else is going to end up feeling responsible for her (not fair unless you've asked beforehand) or she'll be alone. Not fair on her or on anyone else taking part.

Is there anyone else running you know you could ask to look after her?

Not a chance

Why won't you do it with her ?

A lot of judginess - a lot of people would not be able to run 2 miles for all sorts of reasons

What area are you in? Do you know anyone who runs a bit who would do it with her? I can think of half a dozen people right off the top of my head who would be fit/willing enough to do this if it was my DD. If you're near me my DH will do it with her! Do you not have a friend/neighbour who is willing?

at a 7yr olds pace it would be more of a walk, and OP has said 'no way' not 'i'm unable'

and there is a DH about

Because I am not fit enough to run a hilly 2.5 miles and certainly not at the pace of a 7 yo!!
That is the job of the marshalls though isn't it to look out for injured runners?
I will be supporting her I would be cheering her on at the start and finish.

I don't think it would be allowed to ride next to her , I think it might be thought to be hazardous to the other children-but I will ask, that would be a good solution.

I did a fun run with my dd at 7 mths pregnant. I let her run ahead and I walked, but there was no way I would let her do it alone.

I also did another with her when ds was 2 weeks old, same as above really and ds was in a sling, but again, wouldn't let her do it alone.

Why can you not do it with her?? Won't take long.

so without any physical disability you can't fast walk 2.5 miles?

you've got 5 days to get some practice in, go on, you'll all feel the benefit

I can fast walk but she will be miles ahead so it would defeat the object!

Just walk it?

You don't have to run!