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Original poster

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

197 replies

boneyjonesy · 16/07/2012 09:44

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?

OP posts:
shrimponastick · 16/07/2012 10:31

I think you should do it with her.

She will not run at any great speed for the whole distance, unless she is a very good runner. I do parkrun each week - and there are a few young children who regularly attned with their parents. They are good at the first few hundred yards, but then slow, walk, stop - get dragged on a bit further by parents... Most of them don't have the stamina to run at that speed for the full distance.

If the roads were closed and there were more marshalls then fair enough - but from what yousay that isn't the case.

I recenlty ran a half marathon- which entailed running on busy roads. These roads were half cordoned off - so the runners ran in the 'slow' lane, whilst cars and lorries whizzed past at 40mph. Not nice.

seeker · 16/07/2012 10:31

Actually, yes- thinking about it she won't be able to do it unaccompanied- the organisers won't let her. So you'll have to think of another way round- there must be a friend she can tag along with surely?

WorraLiberty · 16/07/2012 10:32

Just go with her and jog at your own pace

At least you'll be there and she'll know that if she falls, gets a stitch or doesn't want to continue for any other reason....you'll catch her up eventually.

All she'll have to do is wait a while.

bejeezus · 16/07/2012 10:33

i think most people can run that OP??

bejeezus · 16/07/2012 10:34

EVERYONE (barring disabilities) can walk it...

squeakytoy · 16/07/2012 10:34

How do you manage to ride a bike up those hills then? I can jog up a hill much easier than I can pedal a bike up one.

It is just over 2 miles.. most pensioners could manage that distance!

seeker · 16/07/2012 10:35

Seriously- can most people run 2.5 hilly miles? really????

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2012 10:36

A 7 year old won't run the whole way, I am sure. For an adult though it's really not a lot, if you mix running with jogging and walking. Get off your bum and do it, the judgey looks you'll get if a marshall has to bring her back to you with grazed knees/stitch/in tears will be unbearable and rightly so

SparkyTGD · 16/07/2012 10:36

Agree with bejeesus & FENTON.

It would be ok if it was on closed roads/off-road but not open, IMO.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2012 10:36

Seeker, I'd go veeeery slowly up the hills and then do my running down them! What goes up....

UnChartered · 16/07/2012 10:37

i couldn't run the whole way, but would give it a bloody good go! this is why gin was invented

Lucyellensmum99 · 16/07/2012 10:37

YEs, bonsey, I can run that - weighing in at 14 stone and a size 22, i can run that, no problem. I might not be able to keep up, but id just jog along and DD could just jog along with me - stop being so bloody whiney, you thought we were all going to come on here and throw our hands up and say "too bloody riht, i woutnt do it either" but we didn't so suck it up, put your trainers on and get off your arse - apologies of course if you have an injury/disability/asthma that would otherwise prevent you. Could you not go and do what yoru DH is doin with the other kids so your DD can do this - it would be awful for her to miss out just so that you can stand on the finishing line stuffing doughnuts cheering her on.

Original poster
boneyjonesy · 16/07/2012 10:37

I am not really worried about her falling.So what? she'll graze her knee and get up and walk/hobble to the end.The only thing I am worried about is the traffic and if I'm not right with her then I can't help with that.I think I will just have to ask as many parents as possible to keep an eye out.
There will be signs up, there is a 10k after wards and all traffic will see marshalls and be aware that there is a run on, so maybe I am over worrying.I don't know.I wuill enquire about the bike thing though

OP posts:
ThePigOnTheWall · 16/07/2012 10:38

I am laughing at all the people who think you are lazy if you can't run a hilly 2+ miles at a 7yo pace :o how many of you could do it? Very few I would guess without any training

lucyellen'smum what's your PB for 3km?

Having said that, no, I woldn't let her do it alone. She's too young. But you know that really don't you.

If I were an adult running this and I was expected to supervise someone else's child, I would be MIGHTILY pissed off.

UnChartered · 16/07/2012 10:38

really? how lovely Hmm

is this thread a joke, OP?

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 16/07/2012 10:39

I can
Just sayin
:)

Theas18 · 16/07/2012 10:39

Uh.... she's 7.

It is surely inappropriate for a 7yr old to do pretty much anything without a named adult supervising them. Unless adult A is responsible for child B you can't assume " someone" will.

Our primary wouldn't let a year 2 (which she pretty much must be) leave the school premises without an named adult taking responsibility.

Damit.... be a parent.... do it with her. She'll have to wait if you can't keep up!

Sorry this has got my goat a bit, if it's a wind up it worked!

Beckamaw · 16/07/2012 10:39

Christ on a hovercraft! I just had a baby and am not especially fit, but wouldn't let my 9 yr old do this alone! I would be with her all the way!

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 16/07/2012 10:40

What is all this talk of a 7 year old's pace as though that is going to be horrible fast? It isn't! OP it's not anyone else's job to keep an eye out for your dd if you can't be arsed - while she's 'walking/hobbling to the end' as you sit around waiting! They will not be impressed.

UnChartered · 16/07/2012 10:40

Beckamaw if it rains any more, OP might need a hovercraft Grin

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 16/07/2012 10:40

If it is an organised run I am not sure I would be that worried. It's for kids so surely a risk Assesment has been done?

Dropdeadfred · 16/07/2012 10:40

You wouldn't care if she fell and had to hobble to the finish line ? Are you serious?

bejeezus · 16/07/2012 10:41

no one is saying she has to keep up pig

NoComet · 16/07/2012 10:41

I'd hate it I'm another who swims not runs, I have very crap knees.

No way would I do it with my 11yo, she's far too quick, but a 7yo will run ahead and then slow down and i suspect you'll end up walking the second half together.

DD says her reception buddy was the only little one who did 2 miles for sports relief, but only because they could rest and then do a few more times round the field jollying each other on.

SoupDragon · 16/07/2012 10:41

There is absolutely no way on earth I would let a 7 year old do this. Do you really think it's a good idea?

Can't you swap with your DH?