Road race organizers are beginning to do a better job of offering more fun and fair age divisions for kids. Unfortunately, many road races still feature "14 and under" and even "18 and under" divisions. Not very fair
for runners at the bottom of those categories, huh?
Not a good way to motivate Distance Demons,
either. Imagine being a good nine-year-old runner
and trying to beat teenagers twice as old or twice
your size to win an award. That's kinda like 50 year
old runners being required to compete in a "20 and
over" division against strong young runners.
If you run in races like that, please find the race organizer and ask him/her nicely to add more age divisions for future races. Describe how you feel when you run hard but can't hope to win an award because of the big kids you're up against. Race organizers are good folks who care about encouraging runners of all ages. They will appreciate your interest and your suggestion. Maybe they just didn't think about it much. If they hear from enough Distance Demons, changes will start to happen!
Also ask the organizer to provide awards for the top finishers at "Fun Runs" for kids (usually 1/2 mile or less). Kids like hardware too, right? Those at the front of the pack deserve the shiny stuff for working hard, not just the same ribbon given to all finishers. Many young athletes take their running very seriously. They work hard to get in shape and finish strong. Shouldn't they be rewarded for that just like the adults they see getting awards after races? You betcha! Fairness and motivation, that's what we're talking about!
"This is a good message and makes sense."
- Gloria West, Midwest Sports Events
"I agree with you about the age group for kids idea."
- Karen Sivley, Kenosha Running Club
"Just a quick note to let you know I agree with your thoughts....My son ran the marathon here in Appleton when he was 14,if they would have had age divisions that you talk about he would have taken first place. Instead he was in an 18 and under category and took 3rd."
- Sue Brunner, Events Coordinator, Fox Cities Marathon
