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 wouldn't call myself fit in an athletic sense, and I don't think there's ever been a time in my life when I could have, but walking 2.5miles shouldn't be a problem. When I was 11, we once got sent home from school early due to heavy snow and I didn't trust the bus to be safe enough to get home so I walked the 2.6miles home instead, the first 3/4mile of which was a really steep uphill winding stretch. I made it home in 30 minutes, only a minute or 2 later than I would have if I'd taken the bus (I passed some of my school mates on their way up when walking down my street).

2.5miles on hilly roads should be a piece of p*ss in 30 mins, especially if the weather actually improves.

I have emailed the organisers about the traffic situation and I'll see what they say.

Did you ask them about an unaccompanied 7 year old?

ohchristFENTON the crucial difference is that she wants to do it.

Yes, but that's not really a good enough reason to take the risk of letting her run a race unaccompanied at 7 is it?

I think a lot of people are missing the point.
DD is happy to doesn't feel she needs me to run next to her and she definitely does not want me to slow her down.She has a competitive nature and will want to beat as many as possible.There will be other children she knows taking part
My dilemma is about safety not support.I will hopefully be able to cycle next to her.
For whover it was that asked, the information I have says the fun run and 10k are licensed and run under UKA rules.There is nothing saying what age can take part and what age to be to run alone.

You don't have to keep up with her just jog behind her so you could catch up if needed

sorry pressed post too soon.I have just spoken to my friend who said that 8 and 9 yr olds ran alone last year.

But she's not 8 or 9, is she?

why can't she walk?
walking doesn't solve the issue. Her kid wants to run.

You don't have to keep up with her just jog behind her so you could catch up if needed

The OP is worried about road safety. That doesn't solve the problem.

Oh lord.
To those who are saying OP should have trained for this, my kids tend to announce on Friday that they need to do something at the weekend. Not much time to train there!

Annoyingly, they'd probably be just fine, too, because they're young and dash about the place. I 'run' regularly but would knacker my knees trying to keep up on anything other than a mild slope.

Look if you think its ok for your DD to run this thing alone why bother posting - it is blatantly not safe and you will never forgive yourself if anything (God forbid) happens to her.

You are being irresponsible

I think you need to say no, OP, unless you know someone willing and able to run alongside her, preferably someone without their own kids. Could you coopt a teenager?

Lucy, I think OP doesn't think it's Ok at all, but has a child desperate to take part.

Is she a just 7 or a nearly 8?
How many other people are entering, will there be safety in numbers down the lanes? What time of day is the run?

I could imagine letting DD do this at nearly 8. Not at just barely 7, though.
Would prefer to get another parent to keep any eye on her.

"I think a lot of people are missing the point.
DD is happy to doesn't feel she needs me to run next to her and she definitely does not want me to slow her down.'

Well, DS2 would be happy to climb 30ft up into a tree near us to retrieve a Geocache but that doesn't mean he should and it doesn't mean I'll let him :)

Noway, i can't believe you are even thinking about a young child running on her own with nobody she knows there. Fair enough if a friend and their parents were running and she would be with them, but entirely on her own, are you balmy!

7.5

"Seeker - why can't she walk?"

Because she's not going to be much use if her dd needs her if she's a mile behind, is she?

I would just say no and and find another fun run she can do this summer with your dh.

She is only a child, and is not able to make the types of decisions herself, this is where YOU her parent steps in. You would never forgive yourself if anything happened to her

I would also find another fun run to do and then train together to do it/palm the responsibility off on your DH.

A mile behind? I said walk not stop

If the roads are open to regular traffic there is absolutely no reason why you can't cycle with her. They simply can't stop you.

There, problem solved! :)

seeker OP wont fall as far as a mile behind, over a 2.5 mile course!

I bet you won't be the only accompanying parent on bike, either.
DH can cycle 17 miles in 45 miles & he still has to ride a bike to keep up with 10yo DD running :).