Royal 5k run question...independent 10yo

[kappyfamily]

I'm running the princess half on Sunday(feb26th) and my 10 year old daughter wants to run the royal 5k the day before.....on her own. I'm 50/50 on it. I will be waiting at the start and finish for her. She would also have a phone on her. She can do a 5k no problem, but she wants to be able to say she ran thru epcot on her own. Ugh.

I've never ran this race so any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thank you

 

[timmac]

I'm running the princess half on Sunday(feb26th) and my 10 year old daughter wants to run the royal 5k the day before.....on her own. I'm 50/50 on it. I will be waiting at the start and finish for her. She would also have a phone on her. She can do a 5k no problem, but she wants to be able to say she ran thru epcot on her own. Ugh.

I've never ran this race so any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thank you

If she's otherwise a responsible individual and not much of a troublemaker, I'd personally have no problem at all with it.

 

[SAHDad]

I haven't run that race, but assuming that (1) your child can handle the distance, and (2) is otherwise responsible and independent, then it should be no problem. Heck, Disney is probably one of the safest places for a pre-teen or early teenager to run a 5k race!

 

[DisneyRunnerGirl]

I would be on the "No" side....I volunteer for a local race company to hang to the back of the pack and have seen kids of this age who have all the qualifications of your daughter who on race day (like can happen to anyone of any age) have a meltdown of some kind.

I have seen heat, hydration, injury, being overwhelmed by crowd size, etc. sending a strong, happy kid into at the least embarassment and confusion to the worst obvious panic and tears.

At that point, you have race volunteers trying to assist the racer, but I will tell you from personal experience, it is REALLY tough with a kid who is this young.

My two cents

 

[hotblooded]

I think you should let her go for it. It's not like she can get lost.

 

[JCH]

I saw quite a few kids doing this at the Halloween 5k. I think if you are going to be there at the start line, it should be fine. You may want her to go ahead and start with the walkers as my only worry be someone not seeing her when everyone started running at the start (although I don't know how tall she is). Otherwise, I think this would be the safest 5K for her to try.

 

[SAHDad]

Had an additional thought - I ran the 5k in the AK a few years back, and I recall there being quite a few in the under 15 set, many about 10-12. I don't think all of them were accompanied throughout the race, FWIW.

You may want to caution DD about pacing - I know that, for younger kids especially, they have a tendency to run all out, and leave nothing (including breakfast, if you get my drift) on the course. It's not uncommon to see younger kids pass the finish line and lose it. Or lose it because they eat right after they finished running.

 

[ironz]

I'd say go for it! Maybe it would be helpful to not have it be her FIRST 5K...do one or two with her...then less likely to have the meltdown possibilities that another poster was wary of. But the Disney races are so well supported, with so many family friendly folks (volunteering and racing)...it could be a really cool experience for her!

 

[kappyfamily]

Wow thanks for all the great responses! To give a touch more background, this would be her 4th 5k and she paces around a 12 min mile. Although she wants to bring her camera so she can take pics so I know she will be a touch slower. She's also 5'4" ( at 10!) and is a super sweet kid. (someone asked about height and her temperament).

So I think I will go ahead and let her do it! Thanks again.

 

[dthogue]

Sounds like she's experienced and mature enough to handle it. My DD and I do 5ks and she is faster than I am, so I just tell her to make sure she keeps someone insight and follows them. I imagine Disney would be a great place for her to run alone.

Another thought is that maybe she could find a online buddy to run with. They could chat before the race, than meet up to run at the race. That would be alot of fun for both!