Running for Kids
Through local clubs and teams, running builds healthy kids, fuels passion, and drives growth on and off the track. With the return of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, there's a greater emphasis on athletic performance for kids.
At 9 years old, Catherine Horsman decided to quit dancing and picked up the sport of running. It was a game-changer. "I was looking for a new sport, and my parents encouraged me to run," said Horsman, who now prefers to run long distances.
At first, Horsman would train with her father for local road races, which sparked her interest in running. "My dad liked to run with me," Horsman said. "For the last two years, we ran the Crescent City Classic. Every Saturday, we would train and increase our runs by a half mile or a mile. This was something we could do together."
Today, at 13, Horsman runs three to four miles almost every day and has set a goal of joining the cross country team at St. Mary's Dominican High School. "My favorite part about running is being with other people," Horsman said. "I am so proud of myself after I finish a run."
For Horsman, a sense of accomplishment was just one of the many benefits she found through running. More than just exercise, running builds confidence, improves health, and fosters achievement, particularly in an age where computers and video games often replace outdoor play. With the reinstatement of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test by President Donald Trump, running has regained importance. The one-mile timed run, along with sit-ups, push-ups or pull-ups, shuttle run, and flexibility tests, will once again be used to assess students' physical fitness as the program returns to schools nationwide.
Local Running Organizations
"Starting your children young in health and fitness can carry them for the rest of their lives," said Benjamin Burke, executive race director of the New Orleans Track Club (NOTC). "Running is a way of getting the youth out of the house and off of computer screens and video games."
Burke added that NOTC, one of the nation's oldest and largest running clubs, is a nonprofit promoting local running events for all ages. "We incorporate youths and adults in our Grand Prix Race Series for members, which is based on a point system," Burke said. "We have three divisions for youths including 13 to 14-year-olds, 10 to 12-year-olds, and children under 9 years old. Membership for youths aged 17 and under is $20 per year."
Burke also highlighted a 10-week race walking and running clinic in the fall offered to members and non-members, which involves in-person training, guest speakers, and dietary plans led by RRCA-certified running and race walking coaches.
Besides that, Burke mentioned that non-members can participate in any of the 18 annual NOTC races, such as the NOAC Turkey Day Race, which offers youth divisions for ages 16 to 19 and under 15. Non-member youths aged 17 and under receive a $5 discount at any NOTC race.
"For some children, running the Turkey Day Race is a family tradition," Burke said. "Getting your child involved in a sport like running can become a lifelong ambition and a healthy tradition."
Another local nonprofit, Youth Run NOLA, offers free after-school and Saturday park running programs for students in grades three to 12. "Most of our participants start their running journey with no experience at all," said Brenna Byrne, program director at Youth Run NOLA, which is located on Washington Avenue in New Orleans. "By the end of the school year, many of the youth who struggled to run a mile at the start can do the 6.2-mile Crescent City Classic."
According to Byrne, Youth Run NOLA coaches follow a curriculum that teaches running literacy, empowering kids to develop self-esteem, enjoy physical activity, and stay engaged in lifelong fitness. "In the 24-25 season, we had 14 school teams and two park teams across the city," Byrne said. "In my first year coaching, I had a 10-year-old girl on my team who would complain about shorter practices, but she stuck with it. Four years later, I trained with her for her first half marathon, something she never imagined she could do. It's a huge confidence builder."
Whether your child is lacing up for a running club or sprinting in school events, running helps them make friends, improve teamwork skills, and boost heart health. Head Cross Country Coach at Brother Martin High School Drew Haro agreed.
"The big benefit to distance running is their cardiovascular development," Haro, a former LSU cross country athlete, said. "Running develops the heart and lungs while teaching the body to move." In 2022, Haro and fellow coaches Jennifer Neal, Jimmy Wiggins, Lauren Haro, and Kyle Montgomery founded the USATF club "GNO Harriers."
"The camp for GNO Harriers is open to 50 kids and offers summer training. We practice three times per week for one hour. We charge $100 for eight weeks, starting in June," Haro said. The target age to join the GNO Harriers is 9 to 14, typically fourth to eighth grade.
"The reason we started with 9- to 10-year-old kids is because they now have been active and see the value of running." Haro explained. "They have the discipline and maturity to focus on running."
Horsman joined the GNO Harriers Summer Club in 2022, laying the groundwork for her competitive school running career. She is grateful to the coaches for her training.
"Without the GNO Harriers, I wouldn't have found my love for running," Horsman said. "The coaches were so helpful."
Now more than ever, distance running for Horsman has become her passion, giving her a solid foundation, mental toughness, and a strong sense of camaraderie. "I really love to run with a team," Horsman said. "It feels so good when you are done."
Upcoming NOTC Races
Oktoberfest New Orleans Run & Walk
Saturday, October 11
Al Briede Gold Cup
Sunday, November 16
NOAC Turkey Day Race
Thursday, November 27
Kenner's Ole Man River Half Marathon
Saturday, December 13
• To sign up for the above NOTC race events: info@nolatrackclub.org or call (504) 259-3765
• To contact Youth Run NOLA, go to the youthrunnola.org website or email Brenna Byrne directly at brenna@youthrunnola.org.
• For more information about GNO Harriers Summer Club: GNOHarriers@gmail.com
