On Saturday morning during parkrun, while passing a woman and pre-schooler, I overheard the woman telling her very small son how proud she is of him walking. I recalled having seen several other mothers walking children. Recalled also fathers, running with daughters (and sons), encouraging them.
Parental influence towards a healthy lifestyle plays such an important role. Sometimes children get tired, or their enthusiasm fades along with the distance. This is where encouragement is invaluable.
The parkrun and myrun (Sundays) opportunities are ideal, in that participation is free. Each athlete’s time accomplishments (walking or running) are captured and retained, provided each athlete has her/his barcode or timing band upon completion. Participants are further encouraged to occasionally volunteer, in order to enable the free model. Through volunteering (or assisted volunteering) children can acquire additional skills, a sense of responsibility, and derive self-fulfilment.
Several myrun venues offer a 2.5km option, in addition to a 5km route, which is ideal for smaller children with developing capacities.
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