Canadian races where kids run free

You arrive to your race venue ready to give it your best. Like many runners, you’re experiencing a broad range of emotions from excited to nervous. If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve got the little one(s) in tow. It can be tough to keep them entertained and you’re crossing your fingers that today will stay fuss-free. Many race directors have been here before. That’s why several Canadian races will offer a race option for kids. But even if your child is extra keen on running, you know that today could easily be the day they will have a change of heart and simply refuse to run (especially a young child). You don’t want to waste money on an entry fee in this scenario. Here are races where kids run for a reasonable fee or completely free:

BMO Okanagan Marathon 

This kid’s event does comes with a price tag though a very reasonable one. The early bird fee is $10. A later sign-up will cost $20. Kids ages four to 10 enter a 1K fun run with other fitness activities like jumping jacks and games. At the end, they get a medal and T-shirt to take home. Running Room also puts on a free friendship run in the morning. The race is Oct. 10 and 11.

Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon

This is not a free event but for $17 your kids (12 and under) can compete in a 1.25K run and have time to play in the inflatable obstacle course after and have their faces painted. All runners go home with a T-shirt from the race and a goody bag stuffed with items to keep them happy. Parents have the option of running alongside their child but are not required to.

FREE: 5 Peaks Canmore Nordic Centre

5 Peaks does an excellent job at offering parents an event to register their kids in. The race series is partnered with Kids Run Canada to get children and youth interested in the sport. The Canmore, Alta., event is on Sept. 12. For the 1K Children’s Challenge, kids sign up for free on race day. For the timed 3K option, parents pay $15 to $20.

FREE: 5 Peaks Devon, Alta. 

Just minutes outside of Edmonton, this race sees a crowd of runners. It’s another family friendly one. As with other 5 Peaks races, there’s a free option (The Children’s Challenge) which parents can register their young ones in on race day. Kids who want the extra challenge can run in the 3K timed challenge for $15 to $20.

Oasis Zoo Run (Toronto)

This is a race the kids will likely look the most forward to. What child doesn’t love animals? At this run, kids 12 and younger can come with their parents to participate in the Cub Run. Members of the zoo can get free entry for their children and toddlers run at no cost as well. Those over three pay a $14 early bird fee which raises to $18. The route is 500m and a T-shirt is given out at the finish.

RBC Run for the Kids (Toronto)

Entering this race, kids under 10 have to raise only $20 (supporting youth mental health) to run. It’s a 5K course and kids do not run separate from the adults. What makes this race stand out for parents of running-savvy children is that the race is partnered with New Balance to offer kids and youth a training program from July to mid-September to get them ready. New Balance donates $10 for every child who runs the race. This is for the child who has expressed interest in running already enough to commit to a summer program. The suggested minimum age for the program is eight but children as young as six could be accepted.

FREE: Niagara Falls International Marathon

The Schools Marathon Challenge, put on by Minacs, is a free program offered to kids at school in the Niagara region. The purpose is to get kids interested in fitness by having them complete the entire marathon distance over the course of six weeks leading up to the race. In the six weeks, kids run 40.2K and on Oct. 25, they line up on the course to run the final 2K to the finish.

FREE: 5 Peaks Quebec  

The event is scheduled for Sept. 13. This event has an option for younger kids as well as teenagers. While parents are getting ready to race the 5K, 10K or half-marathon, younger kids can warm up to race the kids loop for free. Older kids in their teens can sign up for the 3K run which costs $15.

FREE: Trapline Kids Marathon

This Goose Bay, N.L., event is very kid-friendly with it’s 3K kids marathon option. Children 12 and under can compete on race day and while those over eight must pay the $30 fee, children under eight can run for free so parents don’t have to worry about extra young ones changing their mind and having the fee go to waste. Kids who run free however will not be timed nor will they receive the race kit. The event takes place October 11.