Top 15 Youth Running Race Tips by Tim "T-Bone" Arem, M.Ed.
1. Staging a safe area for the event.
2. Having plenty of volunteers that like working with children.
3. Having a person to lead the runs a bicycle rider works nice. One of my favorite youth runs occurs in Tampa on the track at U of T. The rabbits are the cross country team for the university. The cross country coach operates the snack bar and last year made $500 for his program. It's a win win situation.
4. Organization is very important for these youth runs. Making large signs for the various ages is very helpful for the staging of the runs.
5. Allowing enough time to set up for the race so people are not rushed.
6. Giving the youth race it's own identity is very important. I have found that 80% of race directors don't have the kind of passion for the youth races, as they do for the adult runs. These runs tend to be a gesture of goodwill for the community. The best youth runs I've participated in have been on the day before the adult race. This concept of having the youth race on a different day, allows the parents watching time instead of splitting up. Kids really appreciate this. Then your event truly becomes a family weekend and a memorable experience for the whole family which is what the race directors ideally should have as a goal. My experience tells me that kids don't care if they finish their race on the same finish line as the adults do. This is an adult concept. I do like the marathon youth concept where they have to run so many miles to complete a marathon during school time, this gives them a goal to shoot for which we all need as humans.
7. The layout of the race is very important. Especially if it's a party atmosphere where other activities are going on. If you can spread things out.
8. Have other creative things going on before and after the race if possible. This special day can be a sports day with various other sport stations. The volunteers can be from high school many of the high schools students need service hours to graduate. This is a win win opportunity to involve them.
9. In my mind there is no reason to not have large numbers for a youth race. It's imperative to instill a youth running/movement club at the local schools. These schools are where the race directors will get the runners of the future. Races that support running in the local schools on some level have the largest numbers. One of the keys is finding the adults that have a strong passion for running. These adults would love to see their school involved in these races. Running programs exist that can be downloaded to make this a cookbook approach for the facilitator. The Big Sur Marathon folks have one of the best ones.
10. The youth races with the biggest numbers give back to the schools. The Big Sur Marathon gives money back to the schools who bring the largest amount of runners.
11. Make the event fun throw away the timing clock. Everyone is a winner don't bow to the parent pressure of keeping time. The Portland Marathon a client for 10 years, is a firm believer of this idea. They encourage a family run so the parents can enjoy the interactive experience with their little ones.
12. Contact local organizations to bring their mascots. One of my clients has 10 mascots at their race. The kids love these photo opportunities with the mascots and so do the parents. And best of all they are free!!!
13. Think outside the box. Why not bring in a fire truck? Start the race day off with the landing of a helicopter from the local hospital. Bring in a petting zoo, face painters, clowns, etc...
14. A shameless plug... bring in Tim "T-Bone" Arem, M.Ed. America's Health & Fitness Ambassador to take your youth event to the next level.
www.TboneRun.com <http://www.tbonerun.com/>
15. Share what works with your race with other race directors and help each other out. Kid's running events are becoming very popular as we as a society attempt to increase health and fitness awareness in the United States.
Tim "T-Bone" Arem, M.Ed., America's Health & Fitness Ambassador