FLUSHING—It's like the Tough Mudder for the pint-size set.
This Olympic season, kids can unleash their inner Usain Bolt by sprinting across tracks and jumping over hurdles in the new Family Adventure Race at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park — building on the current craze for adventure races in the city.
For the first time ever, on Saturday, Aug. 11, parents or guardians can team up with kids ages 8-13 to conquer the challenging obstacle course at the Flushing greenspace.
Participants will toss a javelin, jump rope, shoot some hoops, jump over hurdles and pump out push-ups during the race, organized by the City Parks Foundation, a non-profit that also conducts free tennis, golf and track lessons around the city.
"Adventure races have really come into popularity," said Michael Lippert, the manager of City Parks' sports and fitness program. "We noticed that and that's also a reason why we developed this race."
Lippert added that as a lot of the adventure races were competitive, designed for "athletic 30- and 20-somethings," City Parks was looking at making a special race for kids.
The aim of the race is not so much to battle it out with other teams, but for kids to learn how to finish the tasks at hand while getting some exercise, organizers said.
“There are video games and sedentary lifestyles,” said Lippert, referring to the way some kids spend their free time. “We hope this race will get kids up and moving and it’s a great way for families to spend time with their kids.”
Kids will be divided into two groups based on their ages: either 8-10 or 11-13. Adults can team up with as many as two kids.
The obstacle course, north of the Unisphere, is designed to be completed in an hour and those who complete it will get a certificate, organizers said.
There is a $10 registration fee and those who are interested can register online or at the venue.
Registration is on a first-come basis and each team of two kids must have one parent or guardian.
For more details and a map of the obstacle course, go here.
