The table below contains maximum distances suggested by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) that junior athletes should run in any given session. Over an entire week, twice these distances should not be exceeded. It also provides guidelines for different age groups on the maximum number of sessions children should undertake in a week; up to 14 years – three sessions, 15 to 18 years – five sessions. These guidelines however, may need to be adjusted to each child’s circumstance as they are very general. Other physical activities children participate in have to be taken into account and will affect the amount of training they undertake.
Junior Athletes
Recommended Distances for Children
Age (Yrs) | Maximum Distance |
---|---|
Under 9 | 3km |
9 – 11 | 5km |
12 – 14 | 10km |
15 – 16 | Half-marathon (21.1km) |
17 | 30km |
18 | Marathon (42.2km) |
Photos
View photos from previous Feature Events.