When did your kids start doing Rundisney races?

[Isabelle12345]

Hi Rundisney friends
I am thinking of registering my 8 year old son for the SS 5K
He is very active (plays soccer, dek hockey, always moving around) and has done a 1K race this summer with a whooping 4:47 PR
At what age y do you consider registering your kids to the races and what were the deciding factors for you?
I think he would love the race aspect and be able to do it (with a run-walk approach) but I am unsure about the crowds and early wake up call…

 

[DopeyBadger]

My daughter started with the diaper dash (back when they still did that at WDW) at 11 months in 2015. She did several 100m runs. Did the 1 miler in 2020 when she was 5 years old. Did the Princess 5k in 2022 and 2023 when she was 8 and 9 respectively. She's done about 8-10 5ks in total. We enjoy doing the 5ks together and make it about the atmosphere and soaking everything in. The focus is on fun and zero on pace. She likes to dress up, and I like to run. So we mesh those together with running in themed costumes that we create together.

2015


2016


2017


2018


2020


2022


2023

 

[Isabelle12345]

My daughter started with the diaper dash (back when they still did that at WDW) at 11 months in 2015. She did several 100m runs. Did the 1 miler in 2020 when she was 5 years old. Did the Princess 5k in 2022 and 2023 when she was 8 and 9 respectively. She's done about 8-10 5ks in total. We enjoy doing the 5ks together and make it about the atmosphere and soaking everything in. The focus is on fun and zero on pace. She likes to dress up, and I like to run. So we mesh those together with running in themed costumes that we create together.


2017
View attachment 787192

2018
View attachment 787193

2020
View attachment 787194

2022
View attachment 787196

2023
View attachment 787198

View attachment 787199

Thanks for your quick reply - you just gave me the push to sign him in!

 

[The Expert]

OMG those pics of G over the years are just precious @DopeyBadger -- she's so grown up now!!

 

[DopeyBadger]

Thanks for your quick reply - you just gave me the push to sign him in!

Awesome! It really can be a great time. And the 5k is super chill. G and I finished the 2023 Princess 5k in 2:05 hours (a whopping 40 min/mile pace). She's capable of running faster if we need to (about a 12:30 min/mile pace), but you rarely need to during a runDisney 5k.

OMG those pics of G over the years are just precious @DopeyBadger -- she's so grown up now!!

I found some pics from 2015 and 2016 as well now. Not the best ones we've got, but that's the best I can find at the moment. She's shot up like a weed in the last few months.

 

[GreatLakes]

Mine started the kids events when he was 1 but unfortunately RunDisney is either too stupid or too lazy to bring back kids events so he can't do them.

 

[azrivest]

J is already asking when he can do the 10k at Disney He's old enough at 11, but I told him to start actually doing training runs before we get into anything bigger than a 5k

 

[Baloo in MI]

I agree with everything that has been said. My younger daughter has run 5k’s with me since she was eight; she is 16 now. We have progressed from 5k’s to 10k’s, half marathons and she has completed one Springtime Surprise Challenge. I absolutely treasure all those race memories with her!

Hope you were able to get you both signed up for it!

 

[AZMermaid]

My son is about to be 13 and is doing the 10K with me in Disneyland. He’s done a handful of local 5ks throughout years, starting at 7ish. My sisters kids run 5ks all the time and are way faster than I’ll ever be.… broke 27 minutes at 6 years old fast. But they train. My son does not hahaha! He’s a competitive swimmer though so he’s got aerobic stamina. I figure he can run for about 6 weeks ahead of time and be fine enough to keep up with old me.

 

[Isabelle12345]

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences!
I was able to sign my son up for the 5K and we are both very excited
I can’t wait to show him the excitement and the fun of runDisney!

 

[flav]

Enjoy the race!

DD wanted nothing to do with races shorter than 5k when she started at 10yo. I was reluctant because I thought it was a bit much but accepted to sign her up. However, it came with a commitment on her part to train for the race because otherwise she could get discouraged or injured and that is no fun. At one point, I even told her that if she did not train, I would just not bring her to the race even if I had paid for it. She got the message, we had good moments training and she finished her first race with pride. She is still running, six Summers later.