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Original poster

Parkrun with 11 year old

22 replies

Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 13:54

Recently completed C25K with 11 year old ds. Even though we only actually do about 3.5k in the 30 minutes we are really enjoying it.

I wanted to enter him into junior park run, I was going to do it with him but might it look a bit odd at 11? Not sure he'd want to do it by himself.

OP posts:
werekitty · 13/08/2019 19:30

Why don't you go to a normal parkrun and just run for half an hour and then walk / run the rest of it? You can build up to running it all.

Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 19:49

Hi werekitty, I wasn't sure if ds would be allowed to run the normal parkrun, I thought it was 14yo and over?

OP posts:
werekitty · 13/08/2019 19:58

I believe children can go to normal parkrun but under 11's have to run within an arms length of a responsible adult. See this article. support.parkrun.com/hc/en-us/articles/205611412-Can-children-take-part-

sanityisamyth · 13/08/2019 20:01

I started doing C25K and used to do junior Park Run with 5 year old DS. He used to streak ahead and leave me literally miles behind but I had friends around and the organisers knew him so he would be watched.

One week I marshalled whilst he ran. He knew where I was and people around him took him under their wing!!

Park runs are great. Really supportive. The junior one is 2K so might be a better start, although you won't get a time.

Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 20:01

Oh I see, thanks. That would make sense as I'm sure many 11 year olds are more than capable of running 5k.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 20:02

Ru mean many under 14s

OP posts:
cocomelon23 · 13/08/2019 20:03

Junior parkrun is for age 4-11 so he could go but I'd do the proper one if I were you. I do the proper one with my 9 year old.

Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 20:03

Do you think we'd look daft running together at junior parkrun? What with his age? He's as tall as me!

OP posts:
Lumene · 13/08/2019 20:06

It would be fine. There will be a cloud of children and accompanying adults as the youngest ones are supposed to be accompanied. I doubt anyone will look twice, the only thing is adults can’t cross the official finish line so you won’t get a time (or need a barcode).

Kubo · 13/08/2019 20:07

Our junior park run is up to 14, I have definitely seen some adult sized children running, you’d be fine 🙂. But also 8yo dd did normal parkrun with DH recently so that’s also no problem

Lumene · 13/08/2019 20:08

He might win, the first past the post kids are usually the oldest (though there are some serious runners).

horseymum · 13/08/2019 20:14

Definitely do the open age ( adult) one. Children used to be able to claim a t shirt after 10 runs, adults had to wait to 25. Not sure if they still do them but an 11 year who had been training should definitely be able to do it. Loads of people do a run/walk combination at ours.

PandaG · 13/08/2019 20:19

Definitely do full park run. If he can do 3.5 k in half an hour he can walk the rest to cool down, or you might be able to keep going. I do a combination jog and fast walk, but there are loads of kids, several of whom lap me! Great atmosphere, so friendly and encouraging. Make sure you both have barcodes (sign up online and print off) so you get an official time.

Onatreebyariver · 13/08/2019 20:24

normal parkrun is age 4+

Both my children ran the full 5km from about 5.5 years (usually took about 40mins and then down to 30 mins by the time they were 7 ish)

Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 20:25

Thanks all, that's good then that we have a choice which one we do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fluffythrows · 13/08/2019 20:27

Onatree that's fantastic, although also confirmed my fears of being outrun by small children!

OP posts:
Delatron · 18/08/2019 20:12

Yes just go for the full one. Though I’m worried my 9 year old will get quicker than me soon and you have to stick with them until they’re 11! Such a good thing to do together.

greyspottedgoose · 18/08/2019 20:17

Iv just signed up myself and my 5 year old for park run, we will be doing our first one next weekend, had no issues signing him up as it asks date of birth, maybe it's 14+ to run alone?

Littlebelina · 18/08/2019 20:20

I've seen adults run with older kids at Junior park runs. I'm left behind by DS now so often finish (not through the funnel!) by myself

Delatron · 18/08/2019 21:48

It’s over 11 to run alone.

SudowoodoVoodoo · 24/08/2019 13:24

My kids (8 & 6) do junior and 5k parkruns.
It's great that they can run solo at the 2k which allows them to find their own pace. I occasionally run with them like when we were touristing last week (I say with... the 6 yo genuinely beat me and the 8 yo was miles ahead).

They can do 5k from 4 yrs, but do need to be within arms length until 11... I'm going to have to get faster or I'll be cramping their pace as their legs get longer!

They are lovely, friendly events. The great thing about doing both is that 2k is great for speed and 5k great for building stamina at a slightly slower pace.

Dollymixture22 · 01/09/2019 22:20

I can’t keep up with my 9 year old nephews on a junior parkrun - but the love it.

Loads of parents run. At ours there is even a group of women who run it with no children. It’s a public park so no one can be banned.

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