As the marathon ballot closes and ‘Sport Day’ season nears, it got us thinking here at NSJ of fun ways to get the children involved in outside sports and local runs. With the recent warm weather and many wonderful parks to visit in London; now is the perfect time to get the little ones active and having fun outdoors!
Running events are a great way of getting everyone involved and something that the whole family can enjoy doing together. Here are a few of our favourite ‘child-friendly’ fun runs happening around London this year!
Mini Mudder:
Looking for something challenging and fun for the older children? Mini Mudder is a one mile obstacle course designed specifically for adventure-seeking kids and is a great event to take part in! This muddy fun run is for children aged between 7-12 years old and has a 1.1 metre (3.5 foot) height restriction.
Mini Mudders must be accompanied by an adult or guardian (with a valid spectator ticket) making it the perfect opportunity to engage and actively take part in with your charges! Spectator tickets can be purchased online in advance for £10 (plus fees), or £20 on event day – with additional event parking costs.
Where? London West (5th/6th May) - London North (7th/8th July) - London South (22nd/29th/30th September)
Time? Allocated on the day when checking in at Mini Mudder registration
https://toughmudder.co.uk/mini-mudder
Mini Superhero Run:
Put on their capes and masks and get involved in this fantastic event. Held at Regents Park and with multiple races set-up throughout the day, this is a ‘must-go’ event that caters for everyone! For children aged 8 years or under there is a planned 200m charity run for day. This mini run will start at 10.30am and is free to sign-up with no notice required. Children aged 8 years or older are welcome to participate in both the main 5K & 10K races for a small £10 fee with advanced booking needed.
Upon registration all participants will be sent through ‘costume vouchers’ for outfits to collect on the day – although, it is highly recommended to dress in your own superhero attire where possible! Run, walk or jog, this event is a fun day out that the little ones will love - with finisher medals provided for every race!
Where? Regents Park (Sunday 13th May)
Time? Mini Superhero Run (10:30am) & 5K/10K Superhero Run (11am Official Start with 10:45am warm-up)
http://www.londonsuperherorun.co.uk
Richmond Runfest:
The Richmond RUNFEST is a fun event involving the whole family. This is in very high demand with tickets selling out in previous years 5 months before - so best to book ahead! This two-day running festival offers several child-friendly events; including a family fun-run, kid’s mile & 500 metre race!
Richmond’s Runfest ‘Kid’s Mile’ was created in 2013 to continue London’s 2012 Olympic Legacy with Olympians supporting and running with the little runners in this September’s event. Every child will be chip-timed and receive a Nike tech T-shirt and a shiny finishers medal. The races are split into school year groups with both the 1 mile & shorter 500 metre course both starting and finishing in the same point (towards the back of the Old Deer Park).
In addition to Saturday’s mini running events, there will also be a Runfest Nike family run on the Sunday for children aged between 5 and 15 years in age.
Where? Old Deer Park (15th/16th September)
Time? Specific race times emailed in advance in a final newsletter one month before the race.
https://www.richmondrunningfestival.com/
The Ealing Mini Mile:
This hugely successful sell out event returns bigger and better for 2018, with a total of six separate age-categorised races for your charges! Due to popular demand the event will also be introducing a new Family Mini Mile for runners 5 years old and under. Both events will take place on Saturday 29th September and are set to inspire hundreds of young runners in the West London borough to get active!
These races are a perfect opportunity for young runners of differing age and ability to experience a large sporting event and the thrill of crossing the finish line! The course covers a one-mile route around Ealing’s Lammas Park with super spectator support. Local independent Catholic girls’ school St Augustine’s Priory has been confirmed for the second consecutive year as the main sponsor for the 2018 Ealing Mini Mile. With St Augustine’s fielding a team of 50 of their own pupils, as well as supporting the event with volunteers.
Upon making their way round, all children taking part in the Mini and Family Mile will receive a trendy runners t-shirt, chip-timing and finishers medal (including adults!). This is very high in demand so be sure to book your tickets early!