Advice for Parent

NapoleonInRags

Hi,

We're looking to get our eight year old daughter involved in running but don't know how to go about it. They don't do anything in her school and the local athletics club is for age 12 and upwards.

I haven't been able to find any information on the community games in our area (east Meath).

Can anyone give me some advice / information? She's dying to race - and seems to be really quick!:)

walshb

Aged 12 and up? Seems very selective-restrictive. Surely another club close to you could cater?

ger664

walshb wrote: »

Aged 12 and up? Seems very selective-restrictive. Surely another club close to you could cater?

Club may not be selective but rather thin on the ground on coaches/adult supervision ?

Timmaay

What area in meath? Any other local clubs? Check the clubs map on athleticsIreland.com

Wottle

If you were free to help out you'd probably open the door for another 10 kids to join including your own. The reason for waiting lists is because there's a lack of helpers.

kookiebrew

Good start might be your local parkrun, I've seen kids younger than 8 running along with their parents, register them beforehand and they can keep track of their times and really feel part of it.

Some of the bigger races have kids runs too, my little girl did the Limerick run last year and this year, got a tshirt and medal too, gives them great satisfaction and a love for sport at an early age.

Wottle

kookiebrew wrote: »

Good start might be your local parkrun, I've seen kids younger than 8 running along with their parents, register them beforehand and they can keep track of their times and really feel part of it.

Some of the bigger races have kids runs too, my little girl did the Limerick run last year and this year, got a tshirt and medal too, gives them great satisfaction and a love for sport at an early age.

No, get her in a club where she can make friends with other kids her own age and not Mammy and Daddy. She'll be introduced to all aspects of athletics, not just running and will be taught the correct drills and they should not be chasing times. My own daughter is u14 and I can tell you her pbs but she wouldn't have a notion, which is great as she's learning to compete against her peers and not the clock.

Check out athletics Ireland for a list of more clubs close to you, there's loads.

Amigaman

We have some amazing juniors at parkrun and they are always welcome - under 11 must run with a adult who is responsible for them .. we also have Junior parkrun which is the same format and ethos as the 5k event but run over 2k with strict Adult Volunteer supervision - there the kids can run on their own at their own pace an adult can run with a child but does not go through the finish chute or receive a time . the Junior parkrun have their own system of milestone recognition and award various coloured wrist bands for the completion of 11, 21 and 50 runs
Junior parkrun site is here -http://www.parkrun.ie/events/juniorevents/
there is a junior parkrun in Rush Co. Dublin ( near to east Meath) and many more opening over the next couple of months - IM for more info if needed

RayCun

Park run is great. But you want kids to develop better and learn how to run, and racing once a week isn't going to do that.
I'm sure there are clubs not too far from you that train kids that age, and will take yours in if you offer to help coach.

Amigaman

Absolutely Ray and just as I have seen loads of people that started off at parkrun 5k having never run before go on to join athletic clubs so I would expect that a lot of the junior parkrunners will go on to join clubs and develop and hone their skills built on a foundation of a solid love of running

kookiebrew

I thought the problem was that the OP couldn't find a club for their child so a parkrun would be better than nothing...

RuMan

Star of the Sea take from age 8. Contact details below.

Not sure 8 year olds should be running 5k's (not to say they can't).


http://www.staroftheseaac.com/contact/

jamule

How far East? These all take kids from >7-

Duleek AC
Star of The Sea (Stamullen/Julianstown)
Cilles (laytown/Bettystown)

jamule

How far East? These all take kids from >7-

Duleek AC
Star of The Sea (Stamullen/Julianstown)
Cilles (laytown/Bettystown)

You could add Boyne Ac in Drogheda too (meadowview is still in East Meath!)

annapr

RuMan wrote: »

Star of the Sea take from age 8. Contact details below.

Not sure 8 year olds should be running 5k's (not to say they can't).


http://www.staroftheseaac.com/contact/

Junior parkruns are 2k and like adult parkrun, no pressure on participants at all. I agree it's not like a club but they are great fun for kids.

NapoleonInRags

jamule wrote: »

How far East? These all take kids from >7-

Duleek AC
Star of The Sea (Stamullen/Julianstown)
Cilles (laytown/Bettystown)

You could add Boyne Ac in Drogheda too (meadowview is still in East Meath!)

Cilles would be perfect - thanks!