Jogging stroller for half marathon training

[RemyMartin]

Hi, wondered if anyone could give me any advice on which one to buy? I've been looking at some american websites, but am getting a bit overwhelmed by the choice and also the prices, and also they don't seem to ship to the uk. Does anyone know of a specialist uk retailer? Any advice gratefully received. Thanks in advance!

Hi RM. There was a thread on this a while ago if you search jogging strollers or something similar. If you haven't already, check out the website www.joggingstroller.com/home.jsp There's a "stroller wizard" that can help you narrow down your choices. It is an American site so not everything will be available here but I found their reviews a big help when I was taking the plunge last year.

I've got a BOB (I'm a Yank and have a US postal address here) SUS D'Lux and love it. A friend (also American) just sold her BOB Ironman to another mumsnetter. It's fairly lightweight (for a stroller this size) and very easy to push. It's also narrower than a lot of strollers (I used to have a Buzz and the Bob gets in/out of shops easier). I'm a plodder/jogger, DH is the real runner and even he finds it easy. Of course the issue is getting one over here.

Babyjogger is another good, reputable brand (you can see all the love mumsnetters have for their City Mini which is our "every day" stroller) and available here (and no, I don't work for Groovystyle). While I don't know anyone with their jogging stroller, it was my 2nd choice based on reviews. I recall someone posted about their Baby Jogger jogging stroller about a week ago. Worth searching for the thread. They raved about it.

I don't know anything about the new Phil & Ted's. I clicked on the link and it looks cool and appears to have the right size wheels.

Whatever you do, don't get something with 12" wheels. You need at least 16" and if you're a serious runner, 20". You'll also want a fixed front wheel. If you have the opportunity to try it out, even better. Most have the rear axle sort of tucked out of the way but you might want to make sure it doesn't affect your stride.

The other thing I'd advise is to get the rain/weather cover that is manufactured for whatever stroller you choose. My American friend had one that fit her BOB and worked but mine which is BOB specific seems to fit better and is sturdier.

Hope this helps.

Hi laraeo, yes I have been drooling over the bobs and there is an american website that I think will ship to the uk, I might also post to ask if anyone else has one they might want to sell.

I will probably end up getting the babyjogger though, just cos it'll be easier to get. I will search for the threads, thanks for your reply!!

Thanks groovystyle I'll look you up too.

Hi I have an American friend, now living in the UK, who has a jogging pram she no longer uses. Think it's a Baby jogger--it certainly has those lovely big wheels. Would you like me to find out whether it's for sale and if so how much?

Hi there.

Sorry to jump in on the thread. I bought the Babyjogger city mini. I used it to travel long haul and it was GREAT! Would you be able to use it for jogging on pavements/country lanes/parks?

Check out Boots as they had a special offer on it (£160-ish).You can get extra kit/covers etc from UK babyjogger company. Very helpful.

Arabica yes please, money a bit tight at the moment but it can't hurt to ask! thanks for that.
*HerMominess, I think it has to be the special one with 20" wheels but I will have a look, thank you!

arabica just realised that last post didn't sound very enthusiastic, it's just that I have had some financial bad news since the op! I am still interested though, as a jogging stroller would revolutionise my life, so I would appreciate you asking your friend.

Hi Remy - I have the Baby Jogger Performance and love it.

Have been taking DS out in it since he was 4 or 5 months (he's 17 months now) and he's always liked it - often fell asleep when he was younger, less so now!

Despite it being a big pram it is incredibly easy to push and turn - I don't really need to slow down to turn corners or go up or down kerbs. I also run off road with mine - proper, muddy puddles, ruts, gravel tracks, hills, etc. DS never complains, and I've only had one dicey moment where I nearly tipped it sideways into a deeper than expected puddle.

It is harder work than running without a pram (obvious really) but that means when you do get to run alone you really fly

You find plenty of the version 2 on ebay - usually for around £100 depending on quality. I bought mine new, and it has meant that I have managed to do more running than if I'd had to wait for DH to get home every night before going out!

I have a friend who has the out n about nipper and she runs with that - it's not bad (depends on the sort of terrain you would be going on I suppose) and you can get the fixed wheel versions on ebay for about £60.

Hi tallbirduk, the more I hear about the performance, the more I like!

What's it like for normal pavement walking though? Would I need to keep my buggy for day to day use? Thanks for your reply.

Hi Remy,

Do you mean like going into town and into shops? Not so bad if you are somewhere big like a supermarket, probably a bit much anywhere else - it is very long is the thing, even though it's not actually much bigger than something like the Nipper which you see quite a lot of day to day.

Also, it attracts a lot of attention because it looks different and has such massive wheels.

I'd keep your buggy for day to day - use the BabyJogger for running & off road or longer distance walks.

A thought as well - the biggest advantage of the new Performance buggy over the previous version is the hood. On the new one it comes right down pretty much, which is great for blocking out low lying wintery sun and for creating a nice dark environment if you want your DC to go to sleep! The previous version;s hood was a bit rubbish.

Hope that helps.

Just to add my 10 p worth: another vote for BabyJogger: I bought an old model from Ebay (spent about £120 I think) and although it had already had a hard life it has many miles left in it - they're very durable.

However, two minor downsides: it makes running in the wind incredibly hard work and I would caution against the assumption you can use it for all your runs: it changes your posture slightly and I found this really wearing after about an hour of running. For those long slow runs I really think you're better off roping in some childcare for a couple of hours: as tallbird says, when you go out without it you're really gonna fly!

Thanks gizmo, baby jogger it is then. Can't wait now (although I probably will have to wait until after christma)

I am so sorry Remy M, friend has sold her jogger.

Thanks anyway Arabica, nice of you to ask her.

Hi I am looking for a buggy to go running with and am after any advice. I hear that Bob running prams are great but I cant find anywhere that stocks them in the UK? I am also interested in Baby Jogger prams.

Baby Jogger Performance is awesome - have a look out on eBay for them - or the Out 'n' About nipper 360 is pretty good too (although harder work), cheaper and can be used for things other than just running.

I have a mountain buggy terraine which I have been using since my baby was born in july. It isn't the lightest but it can be a pram as well as a buggy which is why i chose it, wheels swivel for town use (though it is not ideal for this but where it comes into its own is off road and for jogging. I am training for a marathon in april and have done miles and miles with it with only 2 punctures so it would definately do the job though I have heard that bob buggies are even better.