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Original poster

Junior Park Run - do parents join in?

16 replies

Clevs · 10/07/2022 11:38

Thinking of trying my four year old on Park Runs. Are parents of younger children run round with them on the Junior Park Run?

OP posts:
Original poster
Clevs · 10/07/2022 11:39

*allowed to run round

OP posts:
passport123 · 10/07/2022 11:40

Some run with the tiny kids to encourage them and that's fine. Then there are the performance parents who insist on running with their 9-10 year olds in their full lycra and everyone laughs at them!

passport123 · 10/07/2022 11:40

perfectly fine and sensible to run with a 4 year old. just don't go through the finish channel

HaveringWavering · 10/07/2022 11:40

Yes, I run with my 5 year-old and most parents of younger kids also run. It’s great as I can’t manage the 5k adult park run but 2k is perfect for me.

HaveringWavering · 10/07/2022 11:42

passport123 · 10/07/2022 11:40

perfectly fine and sensible to run with a 4 year old. just don't go through the finish channel

Yes, the organisers always warn us about that! I tend to look after the barcode for him and hand it to him just before the finish as he’s likely to lose it otherwise.

caringcarer · 10/07/2022 11:52

My dd used to run with dogs who is 5 now she can't keep up with him as he sprints the whole way around. She will run with stb4 year old when he starts in September.

caringcarer · 10/07/2022 11:52

Dgs not dogs.

BogRollBOGOF · 10/07/2022 17:15

Mine liked company until they were about 5/6 when they decided to leave me for dust.

Sometimes if the roster is well staffed my children like to run with me or trounce me

It's lovely seeing families run together.

My only gripe is the parents that really harrang little children that really aren't enjoying it that week. Sometimes one lap is enough and it's better to try again next time. Fortunately there's not many of them.

emmathedilemma · 12/07/2022 11:08

I would say most of the little ones start off running with an adult and once they start coming regularly some seem to drop them. Our course goes back n forth so it's quite easy for the parents to run some bits with them and then wait for them to come past again.
My only gripe is the parents that really harrang little children that really aren't enjoying it that week. This also drives me mad! It's meant to be fun!!

Original poster
Clevs · 12/07/2022 17:16

Thanks everyone, maybe an opportunity for me to get my fitness back before I do the adults Park Run!

OP posts:
randomsabreuse · 17/07/2022 22:47

I run with my 6 year old if she's had a bit of time off parkrun or on an unfamiliar course. Need to do it one more time when I'm feeling fresh/strong as revenge for the way she destroyed me today - she got under 11 minutes for the 2k which was a surprise given how difficult she was to get out the door... I can do that pace but not when recovering from a not shedding covid bug and needing to stop to cough! I only tried to keep up with her because I thought she had overcooked the initial pace and would have to walk or (which would cause her to get cross) but she kept it going to the end!

Will be running with my now 3 year old once he's old enough otherwise he'll vanish into the playpark! 6 year old will need to wait at the finish then, which will probably do her some good.

Our usual parkrun is a newish one and there's not many older kids, I think the majority of kids had parents with them!

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 17/07/2022 22:50

Yes it's totally up to you and at our parkrun nobody is unkind enough to laugh at anyone else either, lycra or not.

BogRollBOGOF · 18/07/2022 09:23

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 17/07/2022 22:50

Yes it's totally up to you and at our parkrun nobody is unkind enough to laugh at anyone else either, lycra or not.

I tend to RD in my running gear because it's practical for logistics of collecting gear/ setting up. I cover 2k myself!

In the summer, it's a bit of a work out, and in winter, I work up a sweat then have to stand around for about half an hour. Running gear is ideal clothing for the job.

trailrunner85 · 18/07/2022 11:20

I turn up in full running kit because I will have come straight from my own run. If anyone is daft enough to laugh at me and presume I've dressed up specially for a 2k then that's up to them!

But yes, in terms of running with the kids, it depends on the course and on the child. On a lapped course where you see the kids a lot then there's no need, but on one of the courses I go to, it's an out and back through woodland and my 5-year-old is much happier if I'm with her. The eldest just runs off ahead of us wherever we are!

passport123 · 18/07/2022 17:06

passport123 · 10/07/2022 11:40

Some run with the tiny kids to encourage them and that's fine. Then there are the performance parents who insist on running with their 9-10 year olds in their full lycra and everyone laughs at them!

I should have been clearer. I don't mean normal parents in their running kit. I mean full on performance parenting and haranguing their poor kids for not going fast enough

trailrunner85 · 18/07/2022 17:42

I mean full on performance parenting and haranguing their poor kids for not going fast enough

Ah well yes, they're knobheads for sure. Sometimes I feel like explaining to them that they're doing more harm than good, but I doubt it would go down well. It's a run, not a race! 😄

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