3 Requirements for an Awesome Family Race

0

I’m still on a lingering high from a local race that my family, some good friends, and I ran recently which was awesome for so many reasons! It was family-oriented, it was fun, and there were donuts – Bill’s Donuts at the end!

A Special Wish Super Hero Donut Run.

13086884_1707834406122565_2133583102004785932_oI have always looked for fun, 5K races to run to make my exercise routine more interesting. But, no12974262_10207766502293950_889027865461954951_nw that I’m a mom, I have an added incentive to make exercise more appealing to my children so as to improve the likelihood that they will want to live a healthy lifestyle as they grow older. I have small kids, though – three girls under the age of five. So, I have to take them with me in a jogging stroller or have someone watch after them during a race. This race was a little different in that there was a kid fun run prior to the 5K/10K race. So, I signed up my 4-year-old and my 3-year-old and we all started on the Centerville HS track. I pushed my baby in a jogging stroller while my big girls ran a mile race on the track! My 4-year-old actually completed all 4 laps! I was shocked and so proud! My little girl who acts as though she can’t take another step on a short walk around our neighborhood and insists on sitting in the stroller next to the baby, completed a full mile race! Plus, my little 3-year-old completed 3 laps of the race! I’d say that’s another win! Along with cute packets complete with t-shirts and puzzles, they each received adorable medals at the end of the race and were proud as peacocks. I have never 12991058_10207766567575582_6718213652417497859_nthought my little ones were old enough to run such a long race as a full mile, but now that they have proved me wrong and are super eager to run another race, a kid fun run is a new race requirement.

That’s not all. I specifically filter out vanilla races and choose races that are fun. This race was super hero themed! What could be more fun than running a race dressed as a super hero?!?! I mean, there were so many cute kids dressed as Batman, Wonder Woman, and even Captain Underpants. Adults were dressed up too, which made it even more fun for the kids. It was like they were running next to real-life super heroes!

Another requirement of a particularly awesome race is delightful refreshments upon race completion. There is no comparison to Bill’s Donuts after running a kid fun run and 5K with the family. I highly recommend this race and intend to run it again next year!

I’m always on the lookout for local races! What are your top picks? Any recommendations that fit my specs: Family-oriented (kid run), fun theme, and great food???

 

Previous articleAdulting: 5 Things They Didn’t Tell You
Next articleWhy moms are the BEST employees
Mary Beth Camillus
Hey Dayton Moms! I'm a stay-at-home mom of three amazing daughters (ages 3, 2, and 2 months). After earning my Masters in Education at OSU and teaching Kindergarten, substitute teaching, and tutoring ESL students, I quickly realized I needed something more! My own family! I joined eharmony.com and never looked back. My husband lived in Dayton since First Grade, so I have come to know a lot about the area through him and his wonderful family. Since I grew up on a farm, this city life still amazes me. There's so much to do! Don't get me wrong, playing in the creek and woods out back has its own charms, but I'm definitely getting used to the perks of living in Dayton. My faith and family are the most important things to me, yet I am very passionate about education. My focus is early childhood, and I have taken on some self study of the Montessori approach for my children. I have been developing activities for my in-home preschool. Full disclosure: I have a very strong connection with my laminator. My husband knows and respects this -- he doesn't have to like it. Favorite parts about being a mom: Unlimited hugs, daily giggles, and watching my blessings grow.