Canadian races for kids

Kids complaining about being dragged along to race day? Why not get them excited about a race of their own?

Spartan Series Junior Race: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax

The Spartan Series is a popular obstacle course and mud race series with several events across the country. The Junior Race series offers kids a course tailored to their fitness level so that they can foster life-long commitment to athletics. Many obstacle races promote their event convincing runners that getting muddy feels like being a kid again. So the Spartan Series brings the fun to kid runners designing shorter courses where they walk, run, crawl and climb through obstacles.

The series comes to many cities and towns across Canada including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Red Deer, Halifax and Calgary. Toronto’s event takes place on July 18. Entry fees for kids is $30 and under. Sibling and team fees cost less.

Sun Peaks Junior Race: Sun Peaks

This is also a part of the kids series but is a notable race for families who live in the Sun Peaks region. The Sun Peaks race is known for being a tougher one for adults so parents can take kids keen on getting dirty and giving it that extra push. This year’s event takes place on Sept. 27 so there’s still time to sign up.

Kids Death Race: Grand Cache, Alberta

The Canadian Death Race, an incredibly popular race for distance fanatics has a race for the young ones. Kids who sign up can be prepared to carry their own food and water, and wade through the mud pit on the 5K course that takes young runners through wilderness track. Parents can run with their children through the rough parts of the course. The entire duration is well supervised by adult volunteers. Entry costs $35. It runs on August 2.

CLIF Kid Run Series 

The well-known 5 Peaks Series offers courses for children interested in the sport called the CLIF Kid Run Series. Signing up for a 5 Peaks event? Take your tiny human with you. Children ages five to 12 can enter a one kilometre race for free or a three kilometre timed event.

Ottawa Kids Marathon for CHEO: Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 

The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend is a big one is the world of Canadian runners. Marathon moms and dads can bring the rest of the family. The kids race is the last 1.2K of the marathon course where kids raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The race has kids take part in other physical activities like soccer, running, basketball and hockey. Every half hour of exercise is counted as a kilometre until they reach the 41K mark where the race to the finish begins.

Scotiabank Kids Marathon: Calgary Marathon

Set for May 29, 2016, this race for kids follows a similar format to Ottawa’s kid’s event. CHildren run the last 1.2K of the marathon and for the other 41, they keep a walk-run log with their parents leading up the the weekend. Children over five years old cannot be accompanied by parents on race day.

Capital One Race for Kids

With events in over 30 communities across Canada, it’s easy to find a location close to home for little runners to enjoy. Teams of four have to race through 10 checkpoints (with a challenge at each) until they reach the finish. Kids enjoy a party and awards ceremony afterwards. Funds raised goes towards Boys and Girls Club– an organization which create after school programs for children to minimize violence against children and to help parents find adequate after school care.

Colour Me Rad: Kids Rad Pack

Did you know that kids can participate in Colour Me Rad? Those ages seven and under can actually run for free and enjoy getting doused in all their favourite colours.