More than 150 kids from age 7 through 15 will participate in this Saturday’s Habitat for Humanity Kids Triathlon in North Park and nearly 50 will begin training for cross country next week in Zelienople with Get Fit Families. Kids like to run, but like adults, the first steps are the hardest. Here are a few suggestions to get your kids going down the fitness path.

Keep it fun. If you want kids to run, don’t force it, encourage it. Invite your 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.

Group fun. Sign up for a local fun run like Courtney’s Ice Cream Run where more than 100 kids complete the half-mile fun run then help themselves to over 100 gallons of ice cream. Or choose a costume run, non-competitive color run or a mud run such as last weekend’s Muddy Princess.

Listen to their bodies (and 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 chance to connect and bond, not compete.

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. The ultimate goal is to develop a healthy lifelong fitness habit in your child, but as I like to say, “Running is a journey, not a destination.” 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.

Do it right. Once your child chooses running as an activity and does it on at least a semi-regular basis, teach good running habits. Watch for excessive arm swing or body twist, over striding or shuffling. Don’t be overly critical. Remember, your goal is to build a confident, competent child, not a world-class professional.

Join a group. Most kids have more fun with a group. 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 this winter. Visit getfitfamilies.com for more information.

Upcoming events

Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.: Run Club Group Run, Cranberry Township. Run from Mojo Running store. 724-772-2808 or www.mojorunningpittsburgh.com

Thursdays, 6:30 a.m.: Shoes ‘n’ Brews, Valencia. Short run followed by BYOB beer sharing at Up-N-Running store. 724-898-2525 or shoes@runpa.com

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Armstrong Habitat for Humanity Raise the Roof 5k, Kittanning. elizabeth@armstronghabitat.org or www.armstronghabitat.org

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Habitat Pittsburgh’s Kids Triathlon, North Park. Staged at North Park Pool for kids ages 7-15. 412-450-8520 or www.kidstriathlon.org

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5k, Gibsonia. Post-race party with music, food, beer. 724-625-3770 or stbarnabashealthsystem.com/stbarnabas5k

Sunday, 7:30 a.m.: Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon, Titusville. 814-827-2799 or rddwm6.wixsite.com/thedrakewellmarathon

Sunday, 9 a.m.: XTERRA Appalachia Triathlon, Indiana. Staged at Yellow Creek Park day use area beach. 814-397-4316 or doug@adventuresports.com

August 11, 7:30 a.m.: 8:30 A.M.: 5th Annual Two Face 10k, North Park. Run one or both --- 10k road race followed by 10k trail race. www.athlinks.com/event/5th-annual-two-face-10k-12477

August 11, 8:30 a.m.: Slickville Coal Mine Climb and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Slickville. Challenging 5k or shorter, gentler fun run/walk. jklueber@windstream.net or slickville100.com/centennial-5k

August 11, 9 a.m.: Rimersburg Cookie Daze 5k and 5 Mile, Rimersburg. 814-473-6427

August 11, 9 a.m.: Brookline Breeze 5k Race and Fitness Walk, Pittsburgh. Also 1 mile fun run and dog walk through Brookline neighborhood. 412-523-3547 or www.brooklinebreeze.com

August 11, 6:30 p.m.: Run for the Trail 7k Run and 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk, Dilltown. Run on Ghost Town Trail. 412-613-1167 or tmprrcih@yahoo.com

August 15, 7 p.m.: Courtney’s Ice Cream Run 5k, Grove City. Also half mile fun run starting at 7:45 P.M. Over 100 gallons of ice cream for post-race party. 724-866-1374 or www.runhigh.com

August 25, 9 a.m.: 5k Banana Run, Latrobe. Part of Festival celebrating the banana split. 724-537-4331 or dawn@latroberecreation.org

August 25, 9 a.m.: American Spirit Aviation Festival 5k, St. MArys. Part of American Spirit Aviation Festival. 814-776-2413 or bczappa504@comcast.net

August 25, 9 a.m.: Run around the Square 5k, Pittsburgh. Run through Regent Square and Frick Park. 412-731-4456 or www.runaroundthesquare.com

August 26, 8 a.m.: Butler County Habitat for Humanity Youth Triathlon, Cranberry Township. Held in North Boundary Park. 724-321-4265 or joella@zoominternet.net

August 26, 8 a.m.: Indiana County Fair Inaugural 5k and Fun Walk, Indiana. Ends with half mile on the track in Mack Park. tconrad@nextierbank.com or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Indiana/ICF5k

September 1, 7 a.m.: French Creek Half Marathon and 5k, Meadville. Run mostly on paved Ernst Trail. 814-336-2196 or www.facebook.com/frenchcreekhalfmarathon

Race results

Strawberry Days 5k, June 27: Dan Jaskowak, 1st Overall M, 15:28; Daniel Spaulding, 4th Overall M, 16:21; Jennifer Krueger, 1st Overall W, 19:07; Angie Jenny, 5th Overall W, 20:36; Kim Hohman, 1st Masters W, 20:51; Andrew Maxwell, 2nd 20-29 M, 17:24; Seth Jenny, 1st 35-39 M, 17:44; Jeff Lynn, 1st 50-54 M, 20:13; Mark Courtney, 1st 60-64 M, 20:34; John Armstrong, 2nd 50-54 M, 21:41; Mike Brown, 3rd 60-64 M, 22:48; Katie Jordan, 2nd 30-34 W, 23:22; Ashley Henshaw, 3rd 30-34 W, 23:32; Leslie Kramer, 2nd 40-44 W, 24:15; Miles Jenny, 2nd 11 & Under M, 24:57; Emily Unverzagt, 3rd 35-39 W, 26:26; Jim Lakin, 3rd 65-69 M, 26:42; Dawn Tucci, 1st 55-59 W, 26:50; Bereket Unverzagt, 3rd 11 & Under M, 27:02; Kayla Albert, 3rd 20-29 W, 28:18; Vicki Brendlinger, 3rd 55-59 W, 30:42; Lisa Jamison, 3rd 45-49 W, 31:20; Valerie Sands, 2nd 70+ W, 38:07; Adam Stillwagon, 19:16; Anthony Miller, 19:30; Alex Edmonds, 20:12; Evan Miller, 20:33; Clark Schwarz, 22:27; Harold Domville, 22:29; Adam Luther, 22:31; Steven Nichols, 22:54; David Suber, 23:23; Andrew Edmonds, 23:24; Mitchell McCleary, 24:31; Jennifer Eckenrode, 25:36; Nathanael Nuss, 26:02; Liliana Unverzagt, 26:26; Hunter Hohman, 26:28; Jamie Knauff, 27:15; Josiah Unverzagt, 28:23; David Reynolds, 29:37; Erica Lynn, 29:41; Hannah Hohman, 29:48; Justin Barger, 29:58; Rich Honsaker, 30:01; Donna Eshenbaugh, 30:07; Tamagn Unverzagt, 30:20; Caleb Nichols, 30:21; Robert Sands, 30:57; Cindy Bennett, 31:50; Dan Lorigan, 31:54; Stephanie McCreary, 32:13; Emily Matz, 34:02; Michele Carson, 34:04; Stacy Matz, 34:06; Casey Unverzagt, 34:19; Debbie Jamison, 35:46; Rob Schmieler, 35:47; Crystal Albert, 36:15; Emily Peffer, 37:12; Katie Boatright, 38:37; David Byers, 38:57; Sarah Bordick, 39:38; Regis Matz, 39:51; Regis Matz, 39:52; Ron Brendlinger, 46:44; Carrie Dever, 54:32; Bridget Casteel, 54:32; Gracen Mary Scott, 55:46; Troy Cummings, 59:00; Patty Philson, 59:55

Ellwood City Ledger 10k, June 30: Doug Petrik, 1st Overall M, 35:35; Mariann Tullius, 1st Overall W, 45:35; Rebecca Mobley, 2nd Overall W, 46:37; Tim Sloan, 1st 46-50 M, 46:52; Jeff Wiley, 1st 60-64 M, 48:22; David Suber, 2nd 60-64 M, 49:23; Spencer Mason, 1st 14-19 M, 49:47; Bob Gracie, 1st 70+ M, 51:01; Jeannine Melina, 1st 34-40 W, 51:17; Patrick Covert, 2nd 46-50 M, 51:23; Chris Stewart, 3rd 41-45 M, 52:21; Jim Lombardi, 2nd 70+ M, 52:35; Lisa Davidson, 3rd 34-40 W, 52:35; Brittany Beatrice, 1st 27-33 W, 52:47; Katie Roitz, 2nd 27-33 W, 54:06; Jim Gallagher, 2nd 51-55 M, 54:21; Pamela Marlowe, 2nd 27-33 W, 55:27; Angelina Mason, 1st 41-45 W, 56:55; Cindy Suber, 2nd 51-60 W, 58:27; Deedy Vetica, 3rd 51-60 W, 1:03:07; Monica Lynn Susanin, 1st 46-50 W, 1:04:25; Goldieann McElwain, 1st 20-26 W, 1:19:52; Tony Kovatch, 2nd 65-69 M, 65-69 M, 1:23:57; Justin Zackal, 50:18; CJ Ecalono, 50:35; Eric Venezie, 52:28; Kylee Kaszer, 52:44; Corinne Petrus, 53:31; Cory Rectenwald, 55:23; Randy Brown, 56:31; Faith Lambert, 57:48l Joe Wertz, 1:00:08; John Brenner, 1:00:12; Ron Kralic, 1:00:19; Carrie Smith, 1:00:58; Alison Fisher, 1:01:03; Paul Fisher, 1:01:03; John Stanley, 1:01:53; Logan Ewing, 1:02:11; Nicholas Nardone, 1:03:21; Amanda Lucco, 1:04:59; Brendan Noone, 1:07:08; Michael Capalbo Jr., 1:07:49; Susan Brenner, 1:07:54; Brian Robertson, 1:08:00; Vanessa Venezie, 1:08:02; Jonathan Fauzey, 1:08:27; Alexandria Capalbo, 1:08:56; Patrick Hennon, 1:09:17; Chris Yuhouse, 1:09:19; Ed Davis, 1:11:39; Mike Pisano, 1:12:40; Tomas Maielli, 1:14:23; Chuck Susanin, 1:14:53; Tara Gavczewski, 1:16:47; Gary Williams, 1:16:59; Cody McElwain, 1:19:52; Beth Fenie, 1:22:13; Steve Roitz, 1:22:13; Ashley Nardone, 1:22:29.

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

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle.