My 11 year-old son wants to run a half-marathon: Good idea or not?

I have an update.

Sadly, my son seriously injured himself last night.

I don't want to relive he horror. Let's just say a stray olive was involved. He was on his way to the refrigerator.

Seriously, I'm leaning toward letting him do it. I don't forsee a running carreer for him (unlike dad, he has far greater talents) so I'm not worried abou how it could affect his choice of a running specialty.

I'll also talk to his doctor. Why not do that in the first place? Because hearing from others' experiences is very useful.

Thank you to all who have posted thoughtful replies - and more are welcome.

The reason they don't have those distances at the junior level is because all the kids at that age think they're sprinters and most are to damn lazy to run anything more than a mile.

silly old fossil wrote:

In the good ol' days runners moved up in distance, not down. I don't recall Steve Ovett or Seb Coe running a 1/2 marathon as a junior....and they had the finest coaches out there....particularly Coe.

Why am I the only one on this thread using the S word....is speed a dirty word on here.

Half a coaching youngsters is REIGNING THEM IN.

The time constraint at track meets isn't the reason longer distances aren't run....it is the non-positive impact it will have on young kids.

The NCAA could host a marathon quite easily....but they don't.

But Tergat, Geb, Rono and other use to run miles and miles each day as boys in Kenya. Ovett and Coe were middle distance runners not distance runners, so logically they didn't run longer races.

I do not disagree that speed is important for all runners. But to dicourage distance work for younger runners because of their age is simply wrong and there is no medical evidence to back it up. Actaully to the contrary, speed without a distance base is not productive either.

Your over the top view on this has no basis in logic or medical evidence. I challenge you to produce one instance of medical evidence to support your belief.

MTH wrote:

But Tergat, Geb, Rono and other use to run miles and miles each day as boys in Kenya.

That's an old wives tale.

Well, not that I want to become part of the receiving end of this abuse, but I say go for it. My son is active (plays lacrosse, hockey, runs a little, bikes a little), and he was dead set on running the River to River Relay last weekend. Not that I don't have confidence in him, but FOR GOD'S SAKE, he's 10, so I told him I doubted if he could finish all 3 legs (there are some decent hills and his legs totalled 10+ miles, including 2 miles of constant uphill). As a compromise, we signed him up, and agreed that he would run what he could and I would be an alternate runner and finish up what he couldn't run. Well, after the first leg (3.6 miles at an 8:45 pace), he said, "Mom, if you want to run at all, you should run with me, because I'm running all three of these legs!"

And he did. Racked up some roadkill too.

On the way home he said he wanted to run a half marathon. I called my local race organizer and they agreed to give him an age exception to run the half marathon (their normal age min is 13, but St Jude Memphis Half Marathon has an 11 year old min). He's going to raise money for St Jude in honor of one of his friends who received cancer treatment there, and run the half.

Just because some kids can't doesn't mean other kids won't.

Keep him in good shoes and on a good training program, and he'll be fine. My son is going to train 3 days a week and be a heathy kid (hanging out at the ice rink or swimming pool) the other days.

It is a moot point if this kid is not going to be a long-time runner. This world has lost focus of what running is about. Jeez, every newbie out there wants to stampede straight to the marathon....this is a reflection of that.

I always raced with my peers, the standard distances for that age group....and I am still running now; still with enthusiasm.

My coach had me running Section E half miles at track meets (even though I was slow) because it would benefit me LONG TERM.

If this wasn't a controversial/questionable practice why did the OP (the dad) start this thread in the first place?

The African miles are transport/necessity, pure & simple...and not racing. Just because someone does something that doesn't hurt them, does that make it advisable?

Geb ran a marathon as a teen, but didn't run another until his early thirties.

Why am I the only one posting here with this kid's BEST INTERESTS at heart?

Funny. I always thought running was about having fun and doing as you wished. When I started running in the 70's running was often suited to individual tastes. That's what many of us loved about it. We're not talking about an age group meet having a half as an event, we're talking about one kid who wants to run a half doing it. Saying that you have to follow J.O. events is like saying I can't have a pickup game with a three point line because the AAU doesn't have it at younger ages. I ran a half at age 9. Broke my foot. Ran another at age 11, another at age 13. I ran 1:11 at age 18 and ended up at 1:06. I still run under 16 for 5k and 2:40 for the marathon at almost 40. In the mean time, I picked up an All American in XC. Yes, I got a stress fracture after my first one. I also broke my arm playing football and got a concussion playing basketball. I don't want to talk about my biking injuries. When I see high school kids afraid to engage in races I know they were raised with the idea that any exertion or risk of pain is a bad thing. What a shame some people feel the need to raise their kids in a bubble.

silly old fossil wrote:

Why am I the only one posting here with this kid's BEST INTERESTS at heart?

You don't know this kid or his abilities or interests. You just don't like kids to run distance so forget your sacromonious BS. Whyis what you propose in his best interest. You have shown no evidence that distance running is bad for kids.

You say we asssume he should be into the marathon but you assume he should be a middle distance guy. Why is your assumption better than ours?

Regardless of whatever distance he eventually decides to do his current interest is to run a half marathon and yet you have decided that he should instead run a jr. olympic 800. You assume that intense interval work won't hurt him but easy mileage will. What scientific evidence do you have of this?

How about the harmful effect of pushing him into something he has expressed no interest in and keeping from a challenge that does interest him. Yet you say you are the only one with his best interest at heart. Ohhh Please.

I am all for kids who have an interest in running middle distance to run the Jr. Olympics and for those who have an interst in long distances to run road races or XC so long as both go about training in a proper manner. Pushing one interest group to the other direction will likely result in burn outs. Also most newbies (regardless of training) have no idea what proper training is so need to be supervised so they can enjoy the sport without injuries.

11 year old in a half? Ask Anton Krupicka (http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=12455). He ran a marathon at age 12. I wonder how he's doing now into his early 20s...

American River 50, 1st 5:42:37

Moab Red Hot 50K+ 1st 4:03:02, Course Record

Leadville Trail 100, 1st 16:14:35

Collegiate Peaks 50 mile, 1st 6:53:18, Course Record

High Mountain Trail 50k, 1st 4:33:37

"Krupicka is very appreciative of the support that his parents and two sisters have given him from the very start. 'I think in the beginning my parents didn't know enough about what I was doing and attempting to realize that, wow, jeez, maybe a 12-year-old shouldn't run a marathon, but again, I think that was much, much better than them trying to limit me because they'd bought into some Runner's World propaganda. They often remind me that balance is important in life, but I don't view that as them not supporting my running--that's just them supporting me as a human being and son and is completely necessary as a good parent.'"

silly old fossil, even if you are training speed you need to have long runs. I haven't gotten the impression this kid is "racing" it, he's just going out to do it. If you seriously think one HM will hurt him in the long run you are an idiot.

You say "The world has lost focus of what running is about. Jeez, every newbie out there wants to stampede straight to the marathon." Running is about competition and doing well at the distance YOU want to do. If you like 800s, so be it. If you want to be a good 10k runner you better be training pretty much like a damn marathoner. Shut the f*** up with all your speed bullshit, if the kid decides he wants to rock marathons because that suits his strengths in running than who are you to tell him no?

When my dad's youngest brother was 10, he completed the Montreal marathon in 5.5 hours. He is still alive! :P

MTH wrote:

You sir are an idiot. There is no medical evidence to suggest you are correct yet you have formed an opinion based on just your pure speculation.

I'm an idiot because I have an opinion based on speculation? I think you need to look up the definition of "opinion".

FWIW, I ran a 10k at age 8 and 12 years on I'm still running and love the sport.

A lot fo the negative replies on here seem to be about the kids long-term athletic future as a potential olympian! THe sense I get from your post is that your kid just wants to do this for fun and enjoy himself - he is essentially one of fun runners early on! I'd say definitely let him do it and see how he feels. There's always plenty of time to do speed-work and all that if he decides he wants to be a serious athlete but for now just let him have fun and do want he wants.

Always amazes me at the number of people that thought my parents were crazy for letting me run 6 miles or so regularly at the age of 8-14 whilst at the same time their kids were playing 90 minutes of football and getting lumps kicked out of them, being dump-tackled in rugby and trodden on and getting thrown and hte like at judo/karate. There's a fear of just plain running out their that just seems silly.

Mr. Robott Mann wrote:

MTH wrote:

You sir are an idiot. There is no medical evidence to suggest you are correct yet you have formed an opinion based on just your pure speculation.

I'm an idiot because I have an opinion based on speculation? I think

you need to look up the definition of "opinion".

Those who base their opinions on pure speculation that have no basis in fact and rely soley on personal whimsy are taletell signs of an idiot. At least have a reasonable arguement for you position and why you belive it. If you can't do that its time to change your opinion.

Are you sure you're new to this message board? You've got the sarcastic tendencies of an old pro...Here's my story. When I was 12 years old my Jr High track coach convinced the two distance runners on the track team (we were half milers) to run one of those 20 mile March of Dimes walks. We trained for it by running 4 miles 3 times a week for two weeks.The day soon arrived and me and my buddy started off with high spirits mostly due to the Pro Keds NBA's sneakers our parents bought us for the occasion. They had these cool suction cup type of tread that just made you feel fast.Our coach, who was riding a Schwinn 10 speed, was recording our splits on his watch (this was before they invented "chronographs").Fast forward to mile 17, we are now reduced to walking, I've bonked terribly. Of course this was before they invented gu or HammerGel. It should also be said that it didn't help that it was April in Florida and we started at 10am. I'm guessing it was approaching 90 degrees by mile 17. The only thing that we had going for us was that we had a sizeable lead on all the walkers behind us. That of course was tempered by the fact that you get nothing for winning.So in the end I ran 18 of the 20 miles. My buddy and I finished in a tie for first even though I was incoherent and in bad need of medical assistance. I was so sore afterwards that I missed the next two days of school because I couldn't walk.So would I recommend the experience for other kids? Not if they have an ounce of competitiveness about them. If they have the type off personality that can turn the race into a 2 hour lovefest then have at it. If they were at all like I was at that age I would hold them back.Side note from the experience; I didn't die, it cemented my love for running and it forced me to focus on shorter distances. Who nows, had I note done the thing I might have become the first Deano...

Slow dad wrote:

I have an update.

Sadly, my son seriously injured himself last night.

I don't want to relive he horror. Let's just say a stray olive was involved. He was on his way to the refrigerator.

Why are high school x-c meets only 2 or 3 miles...way too short. None of you have said why a 1/2 marathon will benefit the kid....all you say is that it won't hurt him.

How many Letsrunners on here RACED a 1/2 marathon at 11?

And the kid shouldn't be training for anything at 11. Insignificant mileage, etc. I only mentioned the 800 because that is a reasonable distance for an 11 yo to compete....ALONG WITH OTHER 11YO's.

How many other 11 yo's will be racing this 1/2 marathon.

The kid's soccer coach told him to run 3 miles....he has already defied that.

I am kinda disappointed in the older Letsrun crowd (Orville, OMBTS, TY, Socal Pete) for not wading in here.

How many young kids who race in road races are history by high school? Seen it time and time again.

I have given you a litany of reasons why this kid shouldn't race this distance....you have given me "it won't hurt him".

Jefe, I was not being sarcastic. Just a joke...

Your experience sounds terrible. For one thing, you ran longer than he proposes. For another, there is a very small chance that the weather would be like that here. And I guarantee you this: I would not let him get to the point of being delirious.

Old fossil, again, he has no interest in being a competitive runner.

There are no other kids his age signed up. But...there are no other kids in his band class taking on the music he does. He comes home and plays for hours just for the joy of it. Am I hurting him by letting him?

Silly Old Fossil.... your name says it all.

Read my f***ing post you idiot, I don't think he should race it either. The original post implied he would just complete the run, big difference. It's like a long run on the weekend.

As for young kids burning out doing road races, I've seen WAY more kids who do well in USATF youth events go on to do jack shit in high school and beyond.

In the big scheme, this race won't hurt him and it could really spark his interest in running which WILL benefit him in the long run.