Five reasons to run as a family
If you’re looking for activities to do as a family, why not consider getting into running?
Here’s just a few reasons why you should all put on your running shoes and get outside together:
Strengthens bonds: Spending quality time together being active and sharing a hobby can help strengthen family bonds. It can help create lasting memories and even teach important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, determination and communication.
Family encouragement: For younger children in particular, it can help give them the confidence to try something new when they have a family member alongside them. Doing an activity together can help build self up self-esteem and self-belief especially when you’ve got your family support and encouragement alongside.
Improve health and fitness: It goes without saying but getting outside and moving does wonders for both physical and mental health. Studies have also shown that it can help improve sleep too.
Low cost: Running doesn’t have to be an expensive activity – all that’s needed is a pair of running shoes and a desire to get outside and move. You don’t need to have an expensive membership, you can run anytime, anywhere.
Challenge yourself: The fantastic thing about running is that you can always check to see how you’re improving. Taking part in parkruns or junior parkruns on the weekend is a great way to try and gain a PB or practise running with big groups. Entering events is another great way to push yourself further and having the comfort of your family around, helps give an extra boost to little ones.
Run 4 Wales hosts a series of Next Gen events which aim to inspire a future generation of healthy, active adults.
These races include a Toddler Dash, Future Challengers Race and Family Fun Run and all sit alongside the larger portfolio of mass-participation events.
The purpose of these is to ensure people of all ages and abilities can join in and enhance their physical and mental wellbeing, from toddlers taking their first steps into physical activity, talented young athletes looking for a competitive race to a pressure-free run for the whole family to enjoy.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “Each year, thousands of children, young adults and their families participate in one of our events, at standalone or supporting family races hosted alongside events like the Cardiff Half Marathon and ABP Newport Marathon Festival. It’s a great way for all ages and abilities to get involved with our events.
“We passionately feel that sport should be accessible to everyone which is why, as a not-for-profit organisation, Run 4 Wales supports and awards funding to grassroots sport and other community projects through our Charitable Foundation.
“Alongside increasing diversity, children and young people has been a big focal point for our funding. Some of the schemes and initiatives the Charitable Foundation has invested in include the Welsh Schools Athletic Association – creating District, National and International Competition opportunities for school athletes, The Daily Mile – which encourages schools to get their pupils outside to run, walk or jog in the fresh air, and Starting Blocs – a scheme which introduces children into the world of athletics, teaching them the fundamentals of running, throwing and jumping.
“It’s great to see more children and young people becoming active and a great first step into increasing physical activity among the whole family is by doing these activities together.”
The 100 Club Junior – whereby Run 4 Wales donates 100 free spaces into the Family Fun Run for children to use as a means to improve their health and wellbeing, will also be back at the ABP Newport Marathon Festival and Cardiff Half Marathon 2026. Keep a lookout across the Run 4 Wales website and social channels for more information and when applications open.
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