5k: Ava
Johnson, Megan Crum, Aaron Westrip, Daniel Skandera
10k: Ava
Johnson, Carrie Garritson, Aaron Westrip, Grattan O’Neill, Caleb Hymans
Half
Marathon: Tabitha Francks, Nasiya Jobe, Matthew Feibusch, Charlie Westrip,
Grattan O’Neill
Marathon: Mary Etta Boitano, Tabitha Francks, Julie Mullin, Kevin Strain, Wesley Paul,
Charlie Westrip
According to
the Association of Road Racing Statistics, each of these runners holds a world
record time in the event listed. The surprising part of their record? Their age
at the time; ranging from 3 (Aaron 5k) to no more than 12 years and several of
these runners hold multiple age range records. When I reviewed published
reports and comments and quotes from these runners and their parents, they all
used the words “fun, family sport, exercising.” There was no mention of “punishment
or because my parents made me.” Many families see it as bonding time and a
chance to travel. In fact, youth half marathon times dropped quite a bit in
2016.
Nike has a
website called Marathon Kids; the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued statements in the past about
distance running for children. Some physicians and coaches recommend no
marathons until past the age of puberty. The AAP reports that sprint distance
triathlons are a good thing because they incorporate “lifetime sports, short
sensible distances, non-specialized training before puberty and have health and
weight benefits.” There is a lot of confusion, concern and conflicting
information.
However, for
those of us who set policies for our events, council our race directors to say
no to a parent of a 6-year-old who wants to run our marathon what is the best
answer? We know that our kids of today are not physically active – many are
couch potatoes. We know schools have cut back on many non-academic programs
including physical education and recess due to budget costs. We know 12% of our
youth are seriously overweight and have health issues because of it. We also
see more event weekends with kids activities added in to attract families and
not just mom or dad runners.
So what is the answer? How does your event answer this question?
So what is the answer? How does your event answer this question?
