TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In this week’s episode of Run for Fun, we focus on kids and running. It is important to keep kids active, but it is also important the activity happens when kids are developmentally ready for it.

Joining Leigh Spann and Coach Maria for this discussion is pediatrician Dr. Melinda Murphy. She’s an associate professor of pediatrics at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of pediatric hospital medicine at Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General. They talk about ways to encourage or allow your child to run at appropriate ages.

Coach Maria and Dr. Murphy offer recommendations for parents to help guide their children who are interested in distance running or other intense athletics.

Kids have the opportunity to take part in the ZooTampa Kids Fun Run on Saturday, September 21. The 2K ZooRun starts at 7:30am, and the 1K ZooRun begins at 8:00am. Parents can join their children in the 1K race. There will even be a Diaper Dash and Toddler Trot for kid for kids under 4 years old. Sandra Morrison, Director of Communications for ZooTampa, also joins the discussion to explain what else to expect with these races. She explains why the zoo focuses on this healthy endeavor.

For more ways to keep running a healthy and enjoyable part of your life, be sure to watch or listen to previous episodes of Run for Fun.