DD has run this 5k with her dad for 5 years. As PPs said it is fine to walk some but my DH runs with DD because he can run at a pace closer to hers. I ran one year with a friend and we followed her DD, who ran with a group of her friends a bit ahead of us. Oh and DH has never worn a tutu or glitter, though one year the shirts were pink. There are tons of dads who run it though, so no worries.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 4th grader mentioned this in passing, yesterday. I had NO idea an adult had to run with them.

Is it ok if its a dad? He runs 25 mins every day, I run to the bathroom only.

It can be anyone.

But dads are expected to wear tutus and glitter.

Go for it! My unathletic kid had a blast with the whole program. It's just a great, affirming and positive experience.

Anyone can be their identified adult to run with them at the 5k. If you don't have anyone to run with her, you can ask to have a volunteer assigned to be her 5k buddy. Tons of community members do this, so it is no problem. You can just go along to cheer her. There is a really fun, festive party atmosphere with a DJ and dancing before and after.

We ran most of one 5k and finished in about 45 mins. The other 5k was on a cold and windy day, and we mostly walked. Finished in about one hour. There is lots of encouragement for just showing up and finishing, without an overly strong focus on speed.

Trust me she can do it. Any health kid that age should pretty well be able to walk/run it without any prep. The program will get her ready. If there were ponies or pokemon at the end she could book out 3.1 miles. Its really not far. I'm sure she's walked that much during a day at the national mall. 2.5 miles is the distance from the Capitol to the Lincoln. I'm sure she could hoof it the extra half mile across the bridge to Arlington. Please don't discourage her.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, the memories! My DD insisted I sign her up for exactly that in 6th grade! 5K run. I knew she couldn't run half a mile, but half her friends were doing it and it was for a good cause. So, I signed her up. Nobody had to run with them, one girl could run since she runs with her Dad, the rest ran for a few minutes, then walked, then crossed the finish line after all the elderly fit people and generally all the other people who did it. Went to have lunch and called me few hours later to say how great it was and to pick her up. So, there was no harm in it.

Something about this totally made my day! This sounds a lot like my life...

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:My 4th grader mentioned this in passing, yesterday. I had NO idea an adult had to run with them.

Is it ok if its a dad? He runs 25 mins every day, I run to the bathroom only.

It can be anyone.

We did it in the spring... I would say that even if you want to run the 5K it is sortof difficult to do it because there are so many people ( most who are walking ) and they have 3 separate starts or waves. By the time, our wave was up, we were forced to zigzag back and forth between the hundreds of walkers. DD actually surprised me and didn't stop once. But if you wish to walk you'll be in the majority.

My 4th grader mentioned this in passing, yesterday. I had NO idea an adult had to run with them.

Is it ok if its a dad? He runs 25 mins every day, I run to the bathroom only.

I coached in elementary. Every girl made it in some combo of run/walk and we had 3rd graders. Your daughter can do it!!

My 7yo ran/walked a 5k last spring with no training. Your 11-12yo should be fine.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, the memories! My DD insisted I sign her up for exactly that in 6th grade! 5K run. I knew she couldn't run half a mile, but half her friends were doing it and it was for a good cause. So, I signed her up. Nobody had to run with them, one girl could run since she runs with her Dad, the rest ran for a few minutes, then walked, then crossed the finish line after all the elderly fit people and generally all the other people who did it. Went to have lunch and called me few hours later to say how great it was and to pick her up. So, there was no harm in it.

Something about this totally made my day! This sounds a lot like my life...

Oh, the memories! My DD insisted I sign her up for exactly that in 6th grade! 5K run. I knew she couldn't run half a mile, but half her friends were doing it and it was for a good cause. So, I signed her up. Nobody had to run with them, one girl could run since she runs with her Dad, the rest ran for a few minutes, then walked, then crossed the finish line after all the elderly fit people and generally all the other people who did it. Went to have lunch and called me few hours later to say how great it was and to pick her up. So, there was no harm in it.

Yes, it is a 5K. Definitely can walk if need to, though.

My understanding is you can walk it or do a walk/run combo. I am not a runner, but I plan on running what I can and walking the rest.

My 6th grader wants to participate. At the end, is the race really a 5k? Are there shorter options? I'm not convinced that my dd will actually be able to run 5k and since an adult has to run with her, I know I can't do it but her godmother could do a 3k but can't do 5K. I think the program leading up to the race is worth it but interested in the race itself.
Thanks.