30/10/2026
IMPORTANT - OUR UNDER 11 POLICY:
Since parkrun started in 2004 we have welcomed children to participate as walkers, joggers, runners or volunteers at all of our events. Across all parkrun events children are permitted to register and participate from the age of four.
At our events we require children under the age of 11 to be accompanied by a parent or suitable guardian at all times. This is to ensure their safety and prevent the volunteer team from needing to directly supervise young children.
Consider:
- What if your child became lost on the course?
- Would the fastest runners necessarily stop if your child tripped or fell?
- Who would safeguard your child who needed the toilet after their run?
- What if your child crossed a road or car park to get back to their car while their carer was still running?
- Who would we contact if your child needed urgent medical attention and no parent or carer was nearby?
Every week parkrun welcomes tens of thousands of children to events across the country. This creates safeguarding challenges across a diverse range of environments and as such it is critical that we present a clear and concise position.
We want children to have a positive experience at parkrun; participating because they want to, in a way they want to; and in a safe environment at all times.
We require all children under the age of 11:
- To be within arm's reach of a parent, guardian or designated adult of the parents' choice at all times.
- As with adults, children must always participate on foot. The only exception to this is that we do welcome wheelchair users where the course permits.
- In appropriate circumstances children may, if needed, be carried for short periods at a sensible walking pace, and not while running.
- For safety reasons, bicycles, balance bikes, unicycles, scooters, tricycles, skateboards, roller skates and rollerblades are not allowed.
Thank you,
Bega parkrun team
