Should a 16 year old be running half marathons?

Answer 1

The answer depends upon the race. Most races will set a minimum age of 14 or 18, depending upon whether they want to include HS age athletes or not. Some races will not specify a minimum age, but will require younger athletes to be accompanied by a parent, who is also registered in the race.

All of those decisions are made with liability issues in mind and will be strictly enforced.

It depends on the country. In the UK the minimum age for a half marathon is 17, for a full marathon it's 18. The governing body, UK Athletics, considers it harmful to a growing body to subject it to such extremes and a UK marathon allowing kids to participate would lose their insurance. However in the US there are kids as young as 12 competing in marathons

Answer 2

Most marathons require a age limit of 18 e.g the london, berlin, new york and Cape Town etc.... unless you got permission from your parents and the marathon organisation accepted that you are capable then you would be allowed at about 16-17 years old. Scientists say extreme distances like 10 miles or more for a teenager could result in long term injuries and could cause growth pains and a lot more. Although the idea of running a marathon seems fantastic at a young age, you don't want to "burn yourself out" and not be able to run it again. You have your whole life to run a marathon and half marathon, your P.B's would normally come later at the age of 25-30 and look at Haile Gebrselassie he broke the world record at the age of 35! and he still can still break an hour for half marathons at the age of 38!! So be patient and your time will come, !

Answer 3

It is definitely a very rigorous challenge, though marathons have been run by people 16 years of age, though I don't believe any have reached that pace. Plus, you have to be 18 years of age to be able to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I wish you good luck in your future training.

Answer 4

I Do All The Time And I'm 12 But My Body is Used To Doing everything All Day Every Day But You Really Shouldn't If You Are 16 And Growing And Developing Unless You Do More Than Five Hours A Week Of Excercise.

Answer 5

Yes. With proper training, constant exercise, enough rest, mental fitness, self discipline and healthy diet, you should work it.

Answer 6

in britain, 12