PUBLISHED 04/25/2007
These three highly popular events are just a few examples of the kid-friendly activities offered all over the country almost every race weekend.
The Freehold (New Jersey) Area Running Club hosts an adult 5-K summer series that also features a 25-yard "toddler trot" for those 18 months to 3 years, and a 50-yard dash for kids 4 and up. The series of six weekly events begins in June and ends in August, giving children races to look forward to all summer long (www.farcnj.com).
The Twin Cities Marathon (October) offers events for kids of every age and running level. The "diaper dash" is literally a crawl--"for those requiring assistance on their hands and knees"--on the lawn of the state capitol. The toddlers do 50 yards, also on the lawn. School-age children can try the half-mile or the one-mile race, and older kids can run the 5-K (www.twincitiesmarathon.org).
The Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run expects more than 1,000 kids this year for the one-mile run the day before the marathon (October 27). After the run, parents and runners are invited to visit Camp Miles, the postrun activity area featuring interactive challenges and games focusing on health and fitness (www.marinemarathon.com).
