School’s out for summer.

That gives kids blocks of time to connect with friends, learn new skills and expend energy, hopefully out-of-doors. Some will spend their summer glued to screens, but with a little encouragement, kids can venture down a more active path.

Kids like to run, but usually in the context of other activities. But as many of us have discovered, running is an enjoyable pursuit on its own. Here are a few suggestions to get your kids running toward future fitness.

Keep it fun. If you want kids to run, don’t force it, encourage it. Invite your younger kids to bring a few toys while you run on the local track. They’ll see you and maybe want to join in. Or park at the lot farthest from their favorite playground. They’ll be happy to run the distance to the jungle gym or swings. Many local parks, including Cranberry Community Park, Memorial Park in Butler or North Park, have great nature trails perfect for a short jog or walk plus safe and fun playgrounds.

Listen to their bodies, not yours. Kids are natural interval runners. They sprint until they’re out of breath, then walk until they’re ready to go again. Instead of steady running, start with a few games of tag or chase the dog around the yard. When you do hit the road or trail, follow their lead. Mix in running and walking, or my daughter’s favorite --- skipping. Don’t force your child to run outside their comfort zone. Use running as a chance to connect and bond, not compete. There’s plenty of time and opportunity to introduce a level of competition appropriate to your child’s temperament and physical development.

Do allow your child to develop as a runner. Kids are running longer distances at younger ages with no adverse effects. If you have doubts, check with the pediatrician and never force a child to run longer or harder than they find comfortable. You are their running models.

Be the carrot, not the stick. Don’t complain to your family about running aches and pains, drivers who force you off the road or how you puked after a grueling track workout or kids will deduce that running is miserable. Also, never use running as a punishment. Keep a positive attitude to pique kids’ interest in joining you. Tell them about an interesting animal you saw in the park on your long run this morning or how you stopped for a Popsicle along the way on a warm afternoon.

Suggest a family outing with a short run that ends at the local ice cream stand for post run refreshment.

Choose a goal. Train together for your child’s school’s annual 5k or learn about a charity, then run to support the cause. Or pick a place on the map, maybe PNC Park or Kennywood. Track your progress, then reward your family with an outing to your chosen destination. The ultimate goal is to develop a healthy lifelong fitness habit in your child, and as I like to say, “Running is a journey, not a destination.”

Join a group. Most kids have more fun with friends. Some local running clubs such as North Park Trail Runners hold family-friendly runs. Get Fit Families in Harmony offers cross country running programs for kids ages 4 through 18 at Zelienople Community Park and at the YMCA in Cranberry. Ease into events. Sign up for a fun run like Small Fry Scramble in Murraysville or Summer Solstice 1-Mile Kids Fun Run at Moraine State Park, both on June 19. Or choose a costume run, non-competitive color run or a mud run.

And don’t forget about the upcoming 48th Annual Butler Road Race on June 22. The 2k distance is a great event for kids and families. If your kids aren’t at that fitness level, they may be inspired by watching friends and neighbors cross the finish line.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Old Turnpike Half Marathon, Waterfall. Run out and back on section of old PA Turnpike through the 3rd and 5th longest bike trail tunnels in USA. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Waterfall/OldTurnpikeHalfMarathon10k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: High Street Body Shop 5k, Ebensburg. Also High Skids Dash. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Ebensburg/HighStreetBodyShop5k

Sunday, 9 a.m.: Big Foot Festival 5k Run and Walk, Marienville. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Marienville/ForestCountyBigfootFestival5k

June 15, 5 p.m.: Hoyt Color Run/Walk 5k, New Castle. runsignup.com/Race/PA/NewCastle/HOYTColorRunWalk

June 16, 9 a.m.: Run Like an Animal 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk, Hermitage. Starts at Linden Pointe, benefits local animal shelter. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hermitage/RunLikeanAnimal5kand1milewalk

June 19, 6:30 p.m.: Small Fry Scramble, Murrysville. Noncompetitive half-mile, 1-mile or 2-mile course for kids ages 12 and under. Swag bag and post-race party. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Murrysville/SmallFryScramble

June 19, 7 p.m.: Summer Solstice 5k/1 Mile, Portersville. Cross country 5k at Moraine State Park’s South Shore with 1-mile run/walk for kids 12 and under starting at 6:30 p.m. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Portersville/SUMMERSOLSTICE5K1MILE

June 19, 7 p.m.: Strawberry Days 5k (QUAD 1), Grove City. Run entirely on bike path. 724-866-1374 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=139781

June 21, 7 p.m.: New River Gorge Trail Festival, Fayetteville, WV. Run 5k on Friday, half marathon on Saturday or both on New River Gorge National Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/WV/Fayetteville/NewRiverGorgeHalfMarathon

June 22, 9 a.m.: 48th Annual Butler Road Race 5 Mile and 2k, Butler. Run downtown presented by Butler YMCA and Independence Health System. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Butler/ButlerRoadRace

June 22, 9 a.m.: Butch’s Bucket Brigade 5k and kids Bike Race, Worthington. Bike race for kids 12 and under starts at 11 a.m. 724-464-3420 or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Worthington/ButchsBucketBrigade

June 28, 9 p.m.: Moon Glow Run 5k, Coraopolis. Night run with glow sticks and neon face paint, post-race music, dancing, entertainment. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Coraopolis/MoonParksRecreationVirtualGLOW5KRunWalk

June 29, 9 a.m.: Ellwood City Arts & Crafts Food Festival 10k, Ellwood City. Formerly Ellwood City Ledger 10k. runsignup.com/Race/PA/EllwoodCity/EllwoodCityLedgerArtsCraftsFoodFestival10k

June 29, 9 a.m.: Jolly July Jaunt and Dog Dash 5k, Oil City. Dog friendly event supports local dog shelters. 814-428-2306 or secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=139604

June 30, 6 a.m.: Hell Hath No Hurry, Pittsburgh. Run 10k, 30k, 50k or 50 Miles on Settler’s Cabin Park trails. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Carnegie/HellHathNoHurryPA

July 4, 7:30 a.m.: 40th Annual Whiskey Rebellion 5k, Canonsburg. Starts at Canon Mac Stadium. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Canonsburg/WhiskeyRebellion5KRunWalk

July 4, 8 a.m.: Get Fit Families 5k and 1 Mile, Zelienople. Starts at Zelienople Community Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/Getfitfamiliesfirecracker

Race Results

Pittsburgh Marathon, May 4: Andrew Bowman, 1st Overall M, 2:15:50; Jane Barakis, 1st Overall W, 2:37:37; Ann Cook, 1st 35-39 W, 2:58:16; Lance Appleman, 1st 45-49 M, 3:13:05; Tammy Slusser, 1st 55-59 W, 3:25:58; TJ Stevenson, 2:56:46; Brad Alayon, 2:58:56; Michael Kawecki, 3:06:47; William Zeisler, 3:06:55; William Huber, 3:14:28; Rick Hinman, 3:14:37; Dan Wiese, 3:17:52; Christopher Boltz, 3:23:06; Ian Moore, 3:24:47; Ben Rishel, 3:25:30; Jacob Thiel, 3:25:55; Alex Gore, 3:26:34; Douglas Joseph, 3:26:48; Nicholas Lewis, 3:27:23; Kurt Brautigam, 3:28:27; Michael George, 3:28:49; Matthew Sydlik, 3:30:02; Tyler Ross, 3:34:30; Calem Munro, 3:34:42; David Snyder, 3:35:50; Brandon Henry, 3:35:56; Kirsten Beck, 3:36:05; Robert Pudlo, 3:38:43; Joe Bielewicz, 3:40:10; Anna Maharg, 3:40:17; Chris Gilman, 3:40:18; Steve Smith, 3:40:37; Kurt Eberhardt, 3:40:59; Kevin Berger, 3:41:37; Garrett Miller, 3:42:26; Brittaney Lucas, 3:43:37; Adam Stillwaggon, 3:43:56; Steven Murray, 3:44:29; Adam Sondej, 3:46:02; Jacob Romanowski, 3:47:31; Luke Taylor, 3:49:01; Benjamin Carnovale, 3:49:37; Brock Gresock, 3:51:33; Chad Coblitz, 3:53:5; Ron Hana, 3:53:17; Nicole Gardner, 3:53:28; Dylan Loeffler, 3:53:31; Shannon Baker, 3:53:54; Sonnet Robertson, 3:53:58; Anthony Spalvieri, 3:54:03; Hunter Stalker, 3:54:50; Philip Coachman, 3:54:53; Jesse Noca, 3:55:48; Mikayla Psenick, 3:56:34; Caden Jacobs, 3:56:39; Benjamin Merritt, 3:57:50; Justin Angert, 3:57:56; Christopher Boyd, 3:58:18; Corbin Jacobs, 3:58:36; Hayden Gerhart, 4:01:25; Vijay Murthy, 4:03:20; Elijah Vangura, 4:03:28; Thomas Cornelius, 4:03:41; Renee Miller, 4:04:17; Carrie Peluso, 4:04:19; Sean Erskine, 4:06:59; John Kohley, 4:07:07; Shelbie Moser, 4:15:29; Bridget Jankowski, 4:15:38; Megan Gallagher, 4:15:58; Jenna Gibbons, 4:17:18; Valorie Andreassi, 4:17:19; Timothy James, 4:18:44; Ryan Griffith, 4:19:54; Heidi Smith, 4:19:56; Jenifer Kotchey, 4:20:02; Mitch Andrews, 4:20:58; Blake Thompson, 4:21:36; Taina McCarren, 4:23:00; Colin Whiddon, 4:23:12; Jim Kasperik, 4:25:01; Ethan Hopper, 4:25:46; Alexandra Perry, 4:25:55; Hailey Gustafson, 4:26:34; Shawn Weaver, 4:27:14; Garrett Bontempo, 4:28:00; Trevor Barnhart, 4:28:37; Matthew Frazer, 4:29:37; Vince Luszik, 4:30:58; Erin Adair Pietropaolo, 4:32:28; Tyler Shoemaker, 4:35:13; Sarah White, 4:36:12; Anna Toplak, 4:37:59; Emily Stevenson, 4:38:54; Bradley Priefling, 4:39:29; Jeff DeShay, 4:40:09; Bryan Shumway, 4:41:10; Joe Karnash, 4:43:44; Marty Stoughton, 4:45:49; Raleigh Stoughton, 4:45:49; Benjamin Haugh, 4:46:26; Michael McCarren, 4:46:32; Audrey Rattay, 4:48:54; Jacob Crafton, 4:50:44; Megan Trenz, 4:50:52; Matthew Brissette, 4:53:19; James Rechtenwald, 4:54:24; Rachael Venturella, 4:54:57; Jake Eckberg, 4:55:00; Megan Boland, 4:55:05; Nicholas Pflugh, 4:55:09; Michael Carrozzi, 4:56:33; Mollie Katherine, 5:01:50; Tina Benedek-Grimm, 5:03:22; Piper Treece-Angert, 5:03:40; Colin Lischy, 5:04:44; Andrew Gryskewicz, 5:05:22; Max Perkins, 5:10:07; Seth Stallard, 5:11:12; Taylor Amerson, 5:14:52; Jesse Burneisen, 5:17:37; Richard McMichael, 5:20:37; Nicholas Phillips, 5:21:34; Angela Giori, 5:21:45; Heather LiVorio, 5:23:22; Courtney Williams, 5:26:49; Michael Ford, 5:28:45; Danielle German, 5:33:59; Josh Kaib, 5:35:02; Paige Perkins, 5:36:21; Carl Eichenlaub, 5:38:24; Erin Foley, 5:39:45; David McMichael, 5:4:05; Tiah Popa, 5:4:57; Mitchell DeVries, 5:46:10; Abby Wolford, 5:48:39; Tavia Lynch, 5:49:36; Karen Beilstein, 5:50:22; Connor Block, 5:51:15; Emma Ivory, 5:54:07; Kelly Shute, 5:55:45; Jennie Couch, 5:57:20; Lori Fromlak, 5:57:21; Thomas Colella, 5:58:19; Thomas Colella, Jr., 6:03:05; Brent Calvin, 6:08:34; Robert Siders, 6:11:41; Emily Haberman, 6:26:22; Maria Anderson, 6:27:02; Takuo Fukuda, 6:37:19; David Stepanian, 6:42:07; Robert Zukas, 6:53:43; Terrence Moore, 6:54:02; Halie Hinchberger, 6:55:39; Thiyagarajan Ramakrishnan, 7:06:16; Alex Zowacki, 7:07:05; Mike Evans, 7:15:08; Sarah Peterec, 7:17:59

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, phone 724-352-4395, Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle