Parkrun Junior is a free, fun, weekly 2k (1.2 miles) event where those ages 4-14 can walk, jog, run (or a mix) a measured course. It is up until the day before their 15th birthday. Exceptions are made for some older children with additional needs.
Currently held in the UK, Ireland and Australia. Most start at 9am on Sunday mornings (9:30 in Scotland).
Just like the 5K parkrun there is a tail walker so that no-one needs to worry about being last.
Registering for parkrun Junior
Like adult parkrun participants need to register beforehand. They will then get a parkrun number and barcode which is scanned, along with a finish token (which is returned) at the end. This is exactly the same barcode as the adult parkrun so you do not need to register twice.
Adults and parkrun Junior
Parents do not have to run with their children but are still ultimately responsible for them. Children under 11 must have an adult take them to and from the event, and remain in attendance for the duration of the event.
If an adult would like to run (walk/jog/jeff) with their child it is important that they do not cross the finish funnel.
Dogs
Only assistance dogs are allowed on the course at Junior parkrun. The no dogs rule also applies to volunteering. Adults may spectate with a dog but they are asked to have them on a lead, well back from the course.
parkrun Junior Milestone Clubs
Children can receive free milestone bands for participating and now volunteering. Award bands are collected at the next event from the Run Director in the briefing.
You can also download milestone certificates at home through the child’s parkrun profile. Additionally there are performance related merchandise to purchase from the parkrun shop.
New parkrun Junior Milestones
The parkrun Junior milestones have recently updated. Previously awarded bands for 11 events (half marathon), 21 events (marathon), and 50 (ultramarathon) may still occasionally be awarded whilst stocks last and parkrun Junior events make the switch.
- 10 events / volunteers: Teal wristband
- 25 events / volunteers: Peach wristband
- 50 events / volunteers: Dark blue wristband
- 75 events / volunteers: Green wristband
- 100 events / volunteers: Orange wristband
- 150 events / volunteers: Pink wristband
- 200 events / volunteers: Yellow wristband
- 250 events / volunteers: Pale blue wristband
Additional Information
Obviously parkrun Junior runs in the same way as the 5K event does and relies on volunteers. The roles are very similar to that of a 5K.
This is also means you could try a role in a much smaller capacity (as parkrun Junior currently doesn’t attract the same numbers so is less to manage). Although it does come with some additional challenges such as adults going through the finish funnel or trying to scan their own barcodes.
Also parkrun Junior events have a warm up leader.
Other Rules
No bicycles of any kind or scooters are allowed on the course. The only time a pushchair is allowed on the course is if the parent is going around with another Junior parkrun participant.
We started our parkrun journey with parkrun Junior after reading about it on Sarah’s blog (MumofThreeWorld). You may be interested in this post I wrote about children at parkrun when my children moved to doing the 5K event and had advice from a coach.