The warm weather is finally back and outdoor running season has arrived. Of course, that means that the annual Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Runs are also just around the corner.

For more than 20 years, thousands of kids from across the province have laced up for the annual Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Runs. But this year, there are even more opportunities for young runners to get outside and get running.

In addition to the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run at the Bluenose Marathon in Halifax (May 18), and at the Cape Breton Fiddler’s Run in Sydney (June 12), runners across the province are invited to participate in one (or more!) of a series of local running events in conjunction with the Bluenose Marathon.

Youth runs are planned for the following dates and times:

May 26 – Taylor Head, starting at 12 p.m.
May 29 – Cheticamp, starting at 11 a.m.
June 8 – Beazley Field Boys and Girls Club, starting at 9 a.m.
June 14/15 – Yarmouth Meadowfields Community School, starting at 9 a.m.
June 19 – Debert Elementary, starting at 1 p.m,

*Please note: These times are tentative and subject to change. Events are in the works for Lunenburg, Antigonish and Bedford. Click here for more information.

Doctors across the province agree: training for a youth run is a great way to motivate kids to get outside, get active and build healthy habits that can benefit them for a lifetime. In fact, many medical students, residents and physicians were once KRC members themselves!

Whether your child is new to the sport or an experienced athlete, this is the time of year to start preparing for a successful race day experience. Here are some tips, including how to train, what to wear and what to eat in the days leading up to the race.

Of course, belonging to a running club is a great way to build skills and make friends. If you have a young runner – or runners – in your family, chances are good that their school has a chapter of Kids Run Club (KRC). This is the youth running program that Doctors Nova Scotia started in 2004.

Each KRC club typically trains for an end-of-season fun run, so your youth runner will likely be raring to go when race weekend arrives. If a school-based program is not an option, or if you’d like to keep training over the summer, check out this at-home training package from KRC.

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