Our distances are short so that kids have the endurance to run the entire race. Walking is OK, but we intentionally have made them on the shorter end on what is appropriate for each age so they can have the thrill of running fast! Kids who have trained for longer distances can participate in the 5k. 

The youth races are not timed events. They get a similar race experience to the 5k with a runners race bib and finisher medal, but no time.

Kids Race Distances
🟢 3 & 4 year olds 1/2 lap of the Family Lawn (~ 100 meters)
🔵 5, 6, & 7 year olds 1 lap of the Family Lawn (~ 200 meters)
🔴 8 - 12 year olds 2 laps of the Family Lawn (~400 meters)

Kids aged 3 to 12 can participate in the Kids Fun Run.  The Kids Fun Run is limited to 150 participants.

Parents who wish to run with their child need to register separately. There is no fee to run as a parent. 

The Kids Fun Run will be held following the 5k.  All kids fun run participants must be onsite on the Family Lawn by 8:30 AM.

The Bonnet Springs Park Kids Fun Run Packet pick up will be held at the Family Lawn at Bonnet Springs Park, 600 Bonnet Spgs Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815.


• Friday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM

• Saturday from 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM 

The kids run is approximately 100 to 400 meters depending on age. The run path around the Family Lawn. The course will run counter clockwise and finish in the same location as the 5k. Volunteers will be assisting each age group.

Running in a kid’s fun run or youth track event can be a great experience for kids. For children 5 and under focus on “dash” events that range from a few yards to 400 meters. For children 5 and over, kids fun runs that are a ½ to 1 mile long may be considered, but allow for a combination of running and walking. Children ages 12 and over may want to participate in a 5K run. Children ages 15 and older may want to participate in a 10K to half marathon event. Children 18 and older may want to participate in a marathon or further distance. These are general guidelines and the distance a child can physically and emotionally tolerate will depend on the individual, however, longer distances (10K and over) should wait until after puberty.

Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) is the oldest and largest national association of runners and running organizations dedicated to growing the sport of running. The RRCA uses the term “running” ​to encompass the broad spectrum of “running” in the US, including competitive running, jogging, fitness walking, race walking, and wheelchair fitness/racing on roads, trails, and tracks.