That was one of the strangest parkruns I've ever done. and I loved it. Here's why
@new.things saw our four and six year old neighbours running around in our front yard while their Mum talked to us, and he had an idea:
Caroline, why don't you take them to do part of parkrun.
parkrun, is a free, weekly, times community event. They happen in thousands of locations across about 20 countries globally, including here in Australia.
We have one that's walking distance from our house and these two little girls have been keen to go along.
But they're little!
And little people have little legs.
And 5 km is a looooong way for little legs.
So, Brad's idea was for us to walk from home to the start line then do the first 1 or 1.5 km which would take them close to home again. They peel off and walk the shortest route home and I continue the rest of the 5k.
It was great!
We ended up with five of us:
The four year old, the six year old, me, their Mum and their paternal grandmother.
They walked a lot. They ran a bit with me. There was lots of running and holding hands. And running "to the next bump and then wait for me". And they were tired once they were at their departure spot.
It was a great idea because too many parents drag their kids along to parkrun, make them do the entire 5 km and too often it's too difficult for the kids, so they end up hating parkrun.
Instead, these kids looked happy and I'm willing to bet that the next time I see them they're be asking to do it again.
(Photo of me, at the finish line sans small children, taken by Brad who had run his own parkrun his way and waited for me at the finish line.)
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That sounds like a good time with those children. And you may have made a new generation of runners. We will have to wait and see. Sport should be about fun for kids (and adults). But parents often forget that and push their kids too much. Then the kids get mad at the sport and leave it. Keeping it fun is how they stay involved for life. Even though I no longer am able to run, I still love the sport. It is because my mother never pushed me. In fact no one ever pushed me or took much of an interest in my running as a teenager. Which was fine with me. Keep having fun!
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brilliant creativity
Definitely. It was @new.things' idea =) I just listened.
They may be too young for the 2k junior parkrun, but it's great to get them involved. We get people bringing their kids along when they are marshalling so they can cheer on the runners. Some people are really into doing it as a family. My kids are grown up and one of them does parkrun when they can.
I do wonder about the kids in buggies being pushed around. It looks like a bumpy ride on some courses.
!LUV this
!INDEED I feel the same way.
What a wonderful initiative, and how valuable it is to see how a thoughtful approach can transform an experience. Allowing children to participate at their own pace not only fosters their love of physical activity, but also teaches them the importance of enjoying the process. Family bonding and mutual support are essential, and you have created a space where fun and effort go hand in hand. May this experience inspire more parents to find creative ways to involve their little ones, thereby fostering a closer-knit and happier community. I look forward to seeing those girls excited about their next adventure! ❤️