Kids Run This City
Challenging kids to push farther, inspiring them to go further
VIRTUAL YOUTH 1K, 2K & 3K - MAY 2020
SOLD OUT!
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Kids Run This City's youth races are a Chicago favorite and now everyone, no matter where you live, can have the chance to experience the fun! Races are completed on your own anytime beginning May 17th with an online time submission deadline of May 24th, 2020.
Featuring a 1K, 2K & 3K for kids 12 and under, all runners will receive a mailed pre-race packet with a finisher's medal*, race t-shirt, custom bib number and Stride Rite sunglasses! *(registrations after 4/24 will receive their medal seperately after the race submission period)PLUS, all runners will get exclusive access to virtual shoe fit guides, warm-up videos & online training brought to you by Stride Rite Fit Zone GO!, enerGEEwhizz, Hot Shots Sports & more!
We can't wait to welcome all our new runners from cities across the US! This is also a great opportunity for our returning runners to still participate and keep progressing toward those goals!
Not only will you have fun, but you'll get an opportunity to set goals, make a plan to achieve them, learn to push through barriers, find that sense of achievement and connect with an online community that supports active youth.
Virtually join your classmates, your neighbors and the friends you haven’t met yet and race in Kids Run This City's Virtual May 2020 event. We can’t wait to "see" you at the starting line!
Registration fees
Virtual 1K Closed
Ages 4 & under
-
$18.00
Virtual 2K Closed
Ages 5-8
-
$18.00
Virtual 3K Closed
Ages 9-12
-
$18.00
Race Distances
By The Numbers
Every Kids Run This City race features three distances and suggested age groups. Distances for each division are meant to challenge kids and push them beyond their comfort zone, but are also intended to be generally achievable within the age group.
Please abide by current social distancing recommendations and all local government guidelines when completing your race.
1K
Ages 4 & Under
The 1K distance, just over half a mile, will be most challenging for new-to-walking runners, but highly achievable and confidence boosting for our pre-schooler bunch.
2K
Ages 5 to 8
This barely-more-than-a-mile distance is perfect for those at the younger end of the group who will aspire to finish, as well as those in the older group who may be developing their inner competitor and goal-driven personality.
3K
Ages 9 to 12
At just under 2 miles this race really gets kids moving and everyone in the age group should be proud of their achievement. More seasoned runners can test their skills on this far, but not too far, course.
Your Race Day
It's your race, you decide when and where you run!
We suggest using GPS, such as on a smart watch or smart phone, to track the distance for your runner. If that is unavailable, you can roughly map the distance based on trail markers, block lengths, etc. It's more about digging deep & reaching that finish line than it is about getting the exact milage right.
Please make sure to practice current social distancing and local government guidelines when choosing your running spot and date/time.
If available, we recommend a paved space such as a trail or neighborhood sidewalk route that you can easily create an "in and out" or a "loop" course for your runner. If that is unavailable, there are lots of creative options such as loops around a park field, or for the 1K, even a large backyard! Planning ahead is a good idea so that you can focus on cheering on your runner.
We encourage caregivers to run with their runner as needed, especially encouraged for 1K runners, to help them push through and ensure their safety.
Timing & Photographs
Don't forget to time your runner! Result submission will be on the honor system so no running app or GPS tracker required, but we hope that all runners will submit an accurate time so that they can benchmark their success and work toward future goals!
And please take pictures, pictures, pictures! Kids will love to look back at the photo of them at the "starting line", a mid-run shot and that epic finisher photo with their medal. And we want to see them too! You'll have a chance to upload a photo on the result submission page and we encourage you to share with us on social media!
Make it Fun!
You can bring the excitement of a traditional race to your child's virtual one! Feel free to make a cheer sign to cheer on your runner, bring along music or decorate parts of your "course" with balloons, signs, etc. You can also make your own finish line with chalk, rope or anything else you have handy to give your runner that extra sense of accomplishment and an epic finish!
Or just get out there and run the race, whatever works for you & your runner!
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
What is a Virtual Race?
Kids Run this City's youth running race series is a Chicagoland favorite, but this spring we are going virtual and opening it up to all! A virtual running race is a race where you run the distance on your own - you pick the location, the date & the time - and time your runner. You submit your runner's time (and hopefully a photo or two!) on the virtual results page by the deadline. All runners will be mailed a pre-race packet with their custom bib number, finisher medal*, t-shirt & Stride Rite sunglasses to the address provided during registration. An electronic finisher certificate will also be provided and runners can see their results rank if that interests them.
*Registrations after 4/24/20 will receive their medal separately AFTER the registration period.
When can I run?
It's your choice! That's the fun of a virtual run! Results can be submitted anytime between 5/17/2020 and 5/24/2020 to qualify for the electronic finisher certificate.
Where should I run?
If available, we recommend a paved space such as a trail or neighborhood sidewalk route that you can easily create an "in and out" or a "loop" course for your runner. If that is unavailable, there are lots of creative options such as loops around a park field, or for the 1K, even a large backyard! Planning ahead is a good idea so that you can focus on cheering on your runner.
We suggest using GPS, such as on a smart watch or smart phone, to track the distance for your runner. If that is unavailable, you can roughly map the distance based on trail markers, block lengths, etc. It's more about digging deep & reaching that finish line than it is about getting the exact milage right.
We encourage caregivers to run with their runner as needed, especially encouraged for 1K runners, to help them push through and ensure their safety.
Please make sure to practice current social distancing and local government guidelines when choosing your running spot and date/time.
How should I time the course?
You can use any type of traditional stopwatch, smartphone, or simply watch the clock! If you run with your child you can also use any type of running app or smart watch. For the virtual run, don't worry about getting the time down to the precise second, a general minute time will suffice for benchmarking your runner's success.What will I get with my race registration?
All participants will receive a mailed pre-race packet with Kids Run This City race shirt, finishers medal, custom bib number and Stride Rite sunglasses. Additionally, runners will have access to exclusive online training and warm-up videos courtesy of Stride Rite, enerGEEwhizz and Buddha Belly Kids Yoga.
Where do I submit results?
Registrants will be emailed a link to the virtual results site prior to May 17th, 2020. Here you will upload your runner's time along with their registration confirmation number and any photos you would like to submit.
What type of photos should I submit?
That is up to you! It could be a photo of your runner taking off from the "starting line", a mid-run photo, an epic finish photo, a high five, or even a shoe selfie. If you prefer not to upload a photo, that's ok too!
Can kids run a distance not listed under their age group?
Yes! Distances are selected based on average abilities and we recommend running the suggested distance if possible. However, you can sign your runner up for any distance regardless of age.
Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@kidsrunthiscity.com or message us on Facebook
Contact information
- Event contact
- Mallory Simms
- Phone
- +1 312-391-3772
- Website
- Visit website