Sign In | School | Bookmarks | News | Columns |Speakers | Tips | About Us | Contact KR DISTANCE CHART Plan your events and runs. "How far should my child run?" is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive at KidsRunning.Com. The answer to this isn't simple. It depends on age, level of fitness, type of running or event, and personal preference. This chart was put together as a very general and liberal answer to your questions. Please refer to it often, send an email with any further questions, comments, or suggestions. I will try to respond the best that I can or I will forward your notes to Ed Poirier, an experienced youth coach who writes an advice column for this Web site.       - Feature and Graphics by Carol Goodrow    Choose the Distance that's Right for You     Age Fun Run: Fitness Run/Walk - Alternate running and walking Fun Run: Jog or Run -Walking Breaks if Necessary Fun Run: Sprint if you Can Presidential Challenge - P.E. Program Junior Olympics XC USATF Junior Olympics Track USATF Girls on the Run Local 5Ks 3-4 1/4 mile to 1 mile 50m to 1/2 mile 25m - - - - 5 1/4 mile to 1 mile 50m to 1/2 mile 25m to 50m - - - - 6 1/4 mile to 2 miles 50m to 1.2 miles 25m to 50m 1/4 mile or mile - - - 7 1/2 mile to 2 miles 50m to 1.2 miles 50m to 100m 1/4 mile or mile 3K 100m to 1500m - 8 1/2 mile to 3 miles 50m to 1.2 miles 50m to 100m 1/2 mile or mile 3K 100m to 1500m 5K 9 1/2 mile to 3 miles 100m to 1.2 miles 50m to 200m 1/2 mile or mile 3K 100m to 1500m 5K 10 1/2 mile to 3 miles 100m to 1.2 miles 50m to 200m mile 3K 100m to 1500m 5K 11 1/2 mile to 4 miles 100m to 2 miles 100m to 400m mile 3K 100m to 3000m 5K 12 1/2 mile to 4 miles 100m to 2 miles 100m to 400m mile 3K 100m to 3000m 5K 13 1/2 mile to 5 miles 100m to 2 miles 100m to 800m mile 4K 100m to 3000m 5K EQUIVALENCES For any of you who might be newbies, I have included some simple equivalences. 1/4 mile = 400 meters (400m) or 1 lap of a standard track 1/2 mile = 800 meters (800m) or 2 laps of a standard track 1 mile = 1600 meters (1600m) or 4 laps of a standard track 5K = 3.1 miles 1 meter = 3.28 feet Need an impromptu 50 meter (50m) course for your young ones? Just have 50 kindergartners spread out at arms' distance apart and you'll have a fun approximation. ABBREVIATIONS JO = Junior Olympics m = meter M = mile K = kilometer XC = cross-country (running on grassy areas or trails) KIDS' FUN LINKS Cool Tool for Distances Need to find out any other equivalences? Check out the KR Cool Tool. How to Map a 50 meter route ... when you don't have a measuring tape Email rwedit@rodale.com Thanks to Ed Poirier, KR Coach and Warren Greene of Runner's World for comments and suggestions on this piece. Privacy Policy of Kids Running