6 year old runs a half marathon

RayCun

If you have a small enough group of kids, who are used to training discipline, and race enough over shorter distances to get it out of their system :pac:, you can bring them for an easy-paced run and keep it easy-paced (most of the way anyway!) But a larger group, with kids of mixed ability... its difficult.

Its paramount to saying that kids can play hurling or football, but they are not allowed to try win.

well, younger kids play on a smaller pitch, and there are a lot of people who say there is too much emphasis on competition at too early an age, and it means skills aren't developed - teams just play to the physical strengths of their bigger players.

TFBubendorfer

Condo131 wrote: »

If it was run under an AAI permit, then, no, I don''t. If that was the case the organisers would have been covering the event themselves, with each individual being liable. One may say that the probability of an incident is small, but that's why we have insurance.

It was a club-organised run and definitely under an AAI permit.

RayCun

Stazza wrote: »

Good point about avoiding all races: how and when does a person start out as a sprinter? confused:. I suppose what I mean is that the training for many of the other events is more problematic than that of distance events for kids in the 10-14 age group. Maybe I'm wrong.

Potentially problematic anyway - a bad sprint coach could have kids doing plyometrics or weights before they are physically developed enough, or to excess. And in any competitive event a coach can put too much pressure on a kid to perform.

kit3

Lots of different opinions here and I'm certainly not in any way expert. For the record, my son does not race 5k's, he simply comes along with me and has to stay at my pace until we are near the end when I unleash him (I'm slow !). To be honest it's more a social thing for us both - he would be very competitive with himself if I let him. He plays football (GAA) and swims also so a bit of balance there. I remember asking on here when he first wanted to come with me as I was a bit wary of the distance but the consensus at that time seemed to be that once it was controlled there would be no problem. Anyway, I've been in touch with a club and will be bringing him along as soon as he gets rid of the nasty dose that's residing in our house at present !

Condo131

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

It was a club-organised run and definitely under an AAI permit.

AAI Permit states: "9. Athletes must be 18 years of age to compete in events of 10,000m and over. The recommended age groups for juveniles are: Up to U11 – 1 mile: 12 – 13 2k: 14-15 3k: 16 – 18 5k."

I know you're implying, and I agree 100% with you, that many clubs turn a blind eye to the permit conditions "Sure, it'll be alright.....What can happen." In reality, very little happens, but if it does, then, in the absence of written confirmation from the AAI's insurers, the organisers are liable. You won't find the insurers, in the event of a claim, saying "Sure, it'll be alright". Always CYA!

robinph

Condo131 wrote: »

AAI Permit states: "9. Athletes must be 18 years of age to compete in events of 10,000m and over. The recommended age groups for juveniles are: Up to U11 – 1 mile: 12 – 13 2k: 14-15 3k: 16 – 18 5k."

I know you're implying, and I agree 100% with you, that many clubs turn a blind eye to the permit conditions "Sure, it'll be alright.....What can happen." In reality, very little happens, but if it does, then, in the absence of written confirmation from the AAI's insurers, the organisers are liable. You won't find the insurers, in the event of a claim, saying "Sure, it'll be alright". Always CYA!

A four mile race for under 18's wouldn't be breaking the AAI rules from my reading of that line.

Condo131

robinph wrote: »

A four mile race for under 18's wouldn't be breaking the AAI rules from my reading of that line.

Yes it's suitably vague, isn't it!
However, in a claim situation, one would almost certainly have to argue the basis for the departure from the recommendation. A recommendation, particularly when supported by similar rules/guidelines/recommendations from other athletic federations, could not be set aside lightly.

Having said all that...one of the races organised by my Club set a minimum age of 16, for a four miler this year:rolleyes:....and we stuck rigidly to it, in spite of appeals.

Itziger

This thread is one of extremes. The first example of 5 yr olds running 13 miles is all wrong but I cannot believe that half decent club athletes of 16/17 years of age can't run a bloody 10k.

Condo131

Itziger wrote: »

...... I cannot believe that half decent club athletes of 16/17 years of age can't run a bloody 10k.

I'll give you another one that annoys me...can't get support, even at county level, for a Congress motion to change the Junior Men & Women XC distances (from 4 & 6K to 6 & 8k respectively), to match IAAF distances.

Many years ago, a 16 or 17 year old Sonia O'Sullivan romped away the National Senior XC title, with automatic World XC selection for the first x places. Guess what, BLE (precursurs to AAI) retrospectively changed the selection procedures and didn't select her.

I think we've gone a little off topic with this. I think there is a lot more scope for allowing those 16+ to compete in longer races, however there are very valid reasons for restricting distances for (physically immature) children

axe2grind

This thread is bit all over the place with regard to OP, but I'll weigh in with my feelings on the matter which will cover OP and other aspects mentioned.

My daughter is now 11, but she has always been active. On her feet running around, riding bike, climbing trees etc. She'd do this all day, not a bother. Does she ever do races, no, but since she's been 7 she often accompanied me on 2-3 hour walks in the hills. Not slow ambles, but walks where she'd have to jog a little to keep up.

This long distance enjoyment has remained with her and now she'll happily jog around with dog for an hour or 2 or just doing other "stuff"

I've tried to channel this desire/energy towards athletics, be it cross country or track, but she hates the waiting around (she wants to run), she hates the shortness and the intensity and also she hates the officialdom that goes with organising such events!! she is somewhat of a free spirit, though one with huge amount of good sense.

I've done a couple Parkruns, but she didn't want to do them either because she likes to be off road. But if she did do it, she wouldn't race it, but travel at "her" pace which she can frankly do for hours. Its not that slow, about 6-6:30/km pace. She doesn't train, nor do I encourage it, its just how she goes about her life. Why walk it when you can run/jog it?

So for someone like my daughter, a 5k restriction is absurd. But I also understand how kids need protection from racing/training and so a blanket rule is easiest.

But back to OP and 6yo "running" a half marathon. From the experience of my own daughter I can understand how that can be achieved without breaking much of a sweat, if the kids life is made up with a lot of activity.

To me the difference comes down to racing and participating and if kids are being "encouraged" to race. This I think is where the danger lies.

Condo131

There's an article in the current issue of Running Times: When Mom or Dad is Coach
Here are some excerpts:

"These days, children are signing up for races, breaking records and discovering an insatiable love for longer, harder and faster at seemingly younger ages. Tweens and young teens are turning up at events on all seven continents, at ultras, and even cracking the top 10 at crowded road races."

"At age 8, after begging his parents to let him try a 24-hour, looped Aravaipa race, Tajh ran a total of 33 miles, smiling the whole way. When Teagan turned 7, she ended up running 20 miles. To this day, it isn’t so much that the kids like to train as it is that they never stop running—up mountains, down gnarly descents, and never on the road. It’s their version of playing, say the Reddens, who became runners later in life and are now fixtures in the ultra community."

"Most parents of elite runners will tell you that a child’s motivation to run must be their own, and they cringe when they hear critics assuming they’re forcing their offspring to live out a parent’s unfulfilled dreams."

I suppose the fundamental issue is that there are outliers...the prodigies...who amount to a very, very small percentage who, perhaps, should be allowed an awful lot of latitude. However we all know parents who think that their child is the next Usain Bolt/Sonia O'Sullivan/Rob Heffernan/Gret Waitz/Whoever, and will push, shove and drag to show that they can do it. These parents are the people that children need to be protected from. Don't agree?...go to an under age cross country meet and see for yourself.

doctorchick

Condo131 wrote: »

I know you're implying, and I agree 100% with you, that many clubs turn a blind eye to the permit conditions "Sure, it'll be alright.....What can happen." In reality, very little happens, but if it does, then, in the absence of written confirmation from the AAI's insurers, the organisers are liable. You won't find the insurers, in the event of a claim, saying "Sure, it'll be alright". Always CYA!

Last year, as race director of Fields of Athenry 10K, I sort the advice of the AAI insurers with regard to under 18s in 10K races. Was told in no uncertain terms that they would not be liable for any incidents involving an under 18. I then bounced all the under 18s who had registered for the race. Did get several emails etc from parents saying they must have made a mistake when filling in the registration details as their darling child was nearly 19 not the 13 they originally told me. I think all but 1 stayed away from the race.

I really need to look at that IMMDA report in detail as we often quote 'its bad for their development' when talking of kids in distance races but I would guess that most of us say that because we have heard others say it rather than really understanding what is the issue. I know personally if I can understand what the exact physiological issues are then I will feel better armed when bouncing kids from races. I also think that one of the issues that often goes ignored is not the 6 year old doing a HM but that it is highly unlikely that they went from playing in the back garden to running the HM, but there must have been some extended period of training and this is more than likely going to be the root cause of over use injuries etc.

DC

cloudatlas

Even before I opened this thread I thought "Only in America".