The LRC Kids Run Club is a running club for children to prepare them for a lifetime of running.

The program is held during the school year, is gender-neutral, and is designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, regardless of school affiliation. The emphasis of this program is on participation and developing a healthy lifestyle as opposed to being a competitive running program. The workouts include warmups, relays, distance runs, games, and stretching.

Youth sports provides opportunities to exercise, make friends, gain competence, build confidence, learn about teamwork, take risks, develop character and self-discipline. Kids need movement to grow healthy and strong. Regular physical activity strengthens muscles and bones, helps prevent health problems like diabetes and heart disease, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Physical activity also clear benefits for life at school. Students who are physically active tend to have better grades, miss fewer school days, and have better focus in class.

Parents are required to stay at the practice location for the entirety of the workout and are encouraged to be physically active in eyesight of their child.

If you are not familiar with Bonnet Springs Park, you can find the location of the Family Lawn [https://bonnetspringspark.com/about/plan-your-visit/] on their park map.

For students in 5th - 8th grade, we offer a Summer Development Program [https://runsignup.com/LRClightning] during the summer that transitions into a cross-country racing experience in late summer.

POSITIVE & SAFE SPORT ENVIRONMENT
The Lakeland Runners Club is committed to offering programs for athletes to enjoy a welcoming and respectful environment where diversity is actively embraced. At any age, our objective is for athletes to use the skills they have learned to contribute to the well-being of their communities.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Our volunteer coaches are trained to protect young athletes from abuse through the Safe Sport Act training. Free resources are available for preschool through high school athletes and their parents and are designed to cover the issues of misconduct in sport and helps parents ensure their children have a positive and safe sport experience.