What's a good goal 5k for elementary aged kids?

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7 years ago 01/20/2017 12:44pm EST

Deer People of Letsrun,

I need your help. I am coaching a group of impoverished elementary-age children to run a 5k in about two months. In your opinion, what's a reasonable goal time for these kids, boys and girls. This race is more about finishing than dropping a fast time. The kids are all from a rough neighborhood, and this 5k will allow the children to directly raise funds and awareness for their school and families. The whole neighborhood will be watching, so I want to make sure these kids run well, and are proud of their effort and charity.

Thanks, and if you have any training ideas, I'm all ears!

7 years ago 01/20/2017 12:50pm EST

re: Running changes lives

I think just finishing should be the goal without a time. Maybe some kids could have a good of 30:00. It really depends on the kid but I would not make it very hard if it is more about finishing. That being said, my son finished in around 30 minutes when he was 8 and and 25 when he was 9.

7 years ago 01/20/2017 1:09pm EST

re: Running changes lives

Appropriate goals:

1) finish

2) jog the whole time without walking

3) run even pace

4) run a negative split

If they can't do 4, they can still try for 3. If they can't do 3, they can still try for 2. If they can't do 2, they can still aim for 1. I agree that 30:00 is a reasonable goal for some kids, but I'd leave time out of it for all or nearly all of them.

7 years ago 01/20/2017 1:28pm EST

re: Running changes lives

If you an actually get some very basic training in, a few will surprise I bet. I'd do half a mile a day week 1, mile week 2, 1.5 week 3 and 4, 2 miles week 5, 2.5 week 6 etc. Or something similar. Hopefully 3x/wk

Some 3rd graders can break 25 off the couch.

I do agree that finishing should be the goal and a defined time goal is not a good idea or necessary.

7 years ago 01/20/2017 1:32pm EST

re: colder and wiser

colder and wiser wrote:
Appropriate goals:
1) finish
2) jog the whole time without walking
3) run even pace
4) run a negative split
If they can't do 4, they can still try for 3. If they can't do 3, they can still try for 2. If they can't do 2, they can still aim for 1. I agree that 30:00 is a reasonable goal for some kids, but I'd leave time out of it for all or nearly all of them.

Thank you very much! These goals are great, especially #2. I would like the kids to be able to jog the whole time without walking, I believe it will make the parents and neighbors proud.

7 years ago 01/20/2017 4:07pm EST

re: Running changes lives

Do you care to share more specific info about this project? It sounds exciting! Jogging non-stop sounds like a great goal to me, I know that's pretty much the only standard that makes any kind of sense for my kids, who are 8 and 5. Good luck.

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