Rapides Junior Runners is a kids' running club that was started in 2002
by a group of runners in the Alexandria / Pineville, Louisiana area called
the Rapides Runners. The club has been extremely successful in
exposing kids to the sport of running and has grown to have over one
thousand participants, which makes us one of the largest kids' running
clubs in the nation. It's a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon
with your family and friends.
Every year, starting in the fall and ending in the spring, we have five
races (one per month) at different locations around the Alexandria /
Pineville area. The races have a festive atmosphere with a DJ providing
music as well as guidance to the racers, such as what ages are racing
next and where warm-ups will be held.
All racers, except for the 1/2 milers, will be chip timed. That means each
racer will pick up an ankle bracelet before he/she runs that corresponds
to their assigned bib number. It will be taken off the ankle after crossing
the finish line. All one milers and two milers must run with a chip or your
time will not go into the system.
Each race, the 1/2 milers will run first. The one milers will run next and
the two milers will be last.
Every finisher gets a finish medal hung around the neck and can refresh
themselves with a snack and drink while volunteers tally race results. At
the awards ceremony, a first, second and third place custom medal is
awarded to the top three finishers, both boy and girl, in every age
category. For example, the six year old girls will only compete against
other six year old girls even though they are running with all 6 and 7 year
olds in the race. At the last awards ceremony, a special prize is given to
those who have run all five races. We also award a total of one thousand
dollars to the top three participating schools' P.E. departments.
Above all, we try to stress health and happy running. We want children to
improve their level of fitness by training between runs with their families.
If the kids can see they have improved their time from race to race, it'll be
easier for them to say, "Catch me if you can!"