From Solo Training to Family Fun: Making Fun Runs a Family Activity
For many parents, running is more than a workout. It’s a reason to get outside, a way to carve out some time for themselves or something the whole family can get involved in together.
The idea that everyone can take part at their own level and work towards their own goal is one of the reasons family-friendly events like the Big Fun Run Series are such a good fit for active families. Add some festive costume pieces, a fun, musical warmup plus a medal at the end and you’ve got full family buy-in.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the Big Pirate Run returns to Garry Point Park in Richmond for its fifth year, bringing pirate costumes and other colourful characters, waterfront routes and a relaxed approach to running for all ages and abilities.
There’s a 1–3km Little Pirate Run/Walk for kids, along with 5km, 10km, 15km and half marathon, 21.1km, distances open to any age. Routes are stroller, wheelchair and dog friendly. The focus is less on the clock and more on getting moving, breaking a sweat and having fun together.
The event also supports the Richmond Food Bank, a local service essential to health and well-being, adding a charitable community element to the day.
To hear more about what running can look like when you’re balancing work, kids and family life, we connected with Marcia Tsang, aka @marmarjoshmama, a full-time working mom and experienced marathoner. She shares how running fits into her life, how she gets her family involved and what she’s learned from making movement part of family life.
Here are Marcia’s thoughts and advice on bringing her family into one of her passions and being active together.
“I’m a mom of two boys, ages 11 and 4, and we also have a one-year-old dog who is part of our family.
I love running because it gives me personal time and a healthy mental space. Completing a marathon makes me proud because it represents months of training and commitment, regardless of my finishing time. I also want to show my children that Mommy can do hard things.
I hope my boys grow to enjoy running, not necessarily competitively, but as a hobby we can share. As they get older, I hope our runs can become bonding time when they can talk to me about their lives while I listen and run beside them.
We’ve participated in several family runs, and my kids have really enjoyed them. My older son initially found it difficult to keep up, but he soon found his rhythm and enjoyed the atmosphere. I especially like Big Fun Run events because our whole family, including our dog, can participate together.
My advice to other moms is to keep it fun without focusing on time or distance. Choose nice weather and an enjoyable route, maybe even finish with ice cream! Run alongside your children and create positive memories together. The more enjoyable the experience is, the more likely they are to discover their own love of running.”
Ready to make fun run events a tradition for your family? Register here for the Big Pirate Run. Choose from the 1–3km Little Pirate Run/Walk for kids, or go for the 5km, 10km, 15km or half marathon distances.
Use code VANMOM15 for 15% off registration and don’t forget your pirate costume!
This post is sponsored by The Big Fun Run Series
