Too young to run?

pippywillow

What is a good age to start a child running? I think it might be a good outlet for all my 7 y/o's extra energy.

TAMayorga

I, too am interested in this question. I have a 4.5-yr-old who seems to like to run and wants to run with me. There is a website for children runners, I can't remember it, but try googling it. Anyway, for a 5K, the recommended age seems to be about 8. I know that some fun-runs have 1K's for the little ones. I'm sure that a responsible replier to your question would also say to talk to your kid's doctor... Good luck. I can't wait to see what others say.

quiltlovinlisa

They're never too young.

JenniferEM2012

I started running in the third grade. At my school there was one teacher per grade, starting at third, that would have their students run. We would run for 30 minutes as soon as the school bell rang. In fourth grade I would run for 45 mins and fifth grade I would run for an hour and a half. I loved it and it kept me in shape.

ashleen7

I competed in cross country running and track races from 7 years old and I loved it.
Here in Ireland for sports or gym class it was mainly camogie, hurling or Gaelic football, for other sports such as athletics or rugby we would have to join a club, sounds like in the US track and field is pretty standard on the curriculum from elementary school upwards.

Minerva624

Seven is a good age. Get him going!

johnlatte

My daughter started at 7 and today she's 13 and has competed at the National Jr. Olympics twice.

Mads1997

I don't know where you are but in Australia we havea program called Little Athletics which is aimed at little kids from 5 years old up to 16 years. Maybe you have something like this in your town.

http://www.littleathletics.com.au/site/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_main&OrgID=3664

Elzecat

I'm not a parent but I'd say go for it. My friend/neighbor got her daughter involved in Kids Running America through her school. She's 8, and just completed a marathon's worth of miles over the last couple of months. And she loves it! Also, I belong to a couple running groups and my Saturday morning one is full of families with little ones--there are 4 year olds who are actually running with their parents. We do a basic course that's just under 3 miles, and lots of people run/walk it when they are just starting out. The kids seem to be having a lot of fun.

KellyOnlySmaller

I've been wondering about this, too! I would love to get my kids started. My youngest is 6, and he has some serious energy! Thanks for posting this!

Sycoholic

7 should be fine as long as they're not overdoing it. My 7 year old granddaughter really surprised me with her endurance and sprints. The big concern is overtraining them. Kids know what's fun and parental pressure. Make sure they don't feel obligated to keep up, but give them the opportunity to set the pace. If it's too fast then you can teach them to dial it back and pace themselves. Starting off the only speeds they usually know is flat-out and walking. Work on developing a good pace for them and then speed work can come in later. Most of all though, have fun with it and enjoy the time out running. That freedom you get from running.... well you're now sharing it with somebody who loves you. What's better than that?!! (Aside from an Apache helicopter... they have missiles and guns)

runfatmanrun

I have seen as young as 4 at some of the races I have run. I had a 10 year old almost beat me...thank goodness his shoe came untied . Figure if they have the ability to run then they are old enough.

jenilla1

My daughter started at 7 and today she's 13 and has competed at the National Jr. Olympics twice.

:drinker:

devil_in_a_blue_dress

If they enjoy it, start now. If they don't, try other sports or athletic classes.

skinnytayy

Seven seems like a pretty reasonable age to me. I'm not a parent but as a kid, I LOVED running around my neighborhood. Totally wish I would've had someone to run with me, teach me proper technique, motivate/support, etc. I say go for it!

BeachIron

Just make sure your kid stays hydrated.

freebirdjones

We all did track & field and cross country in elementary school If he/she doesn't like running, try soccer or baseball or something that might break p the boredom of running.

avababy05

My seven year old has so much energy,I take him to the track at the high school and just let him go.He's gone around twice by the time I make it around once,

I'm actually surprised by the question. Used to be running is what kids did!

pippywillow

Thanks for all the answers! I'm pretty new to this myself, but I think it might be a fun activity for us to do together.

abbzpwn

7 years old sounds like a good age to start ;D

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

My two girls run all the time and they are 3 and 7. We don't force run them or anything, but when we go out for walks, generally they run way ahead, then back to us, then way ahead, then back. When my husband and I run, they keep up, but it is generally for shorter distances like 2-3 miles, with walking interspersed.

And like Beachiron says, make sure they're drinking plenty of fluids.

TylerJ76

Just remember that it's fun for them, don't change that..

SoViLicious

My kid runs all the time. We don't force him to do it. He just loves it.

Contrarian

Tramps like us, baby, we were born to run.

pobalita

I think as long as they are having fun and aren't being pushed, no age is too young. My son ran his first 5K last year at 9 years old in about 24 minutes. He just ran another 5K this past weekend and would like to do a 10K by the end of the summer. I see kids his age or younger at a lot of events. Many events also hold special kids runs that are from a few hundred yards to a mile long and they are always packed with toddlers to pre-teens - there are runners of all ages out there!