Children’s Ramble

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Join us for the annual North Star Kids’ Ramble!
Every registered runner receives a ribbon and a free book!

The North Star Kids’ Ramble has been a fun run for kids preceding the iconic James Joyce 10K Ramble in Dedham for more than two decades. The Kids’ Ramble, a one-of-a-kind literacy-themed fitness event for kids, will take place on Sunday, April 28, 2024, rain or shine, at Dedham’s historic Endicott Estate.

The children’s races are held in the field adjacent to the greenhouse on the corner of Walnut and Mount Vernon Streets. Free registration begins on-site at 8:00 a.m. with the races scheduled from 9 am to 10:00 am. While children are waiting for the races to begin, they are invited to enjoy other activities.

Schedule

8 am: registration and activities begin.

9 am: Family groups run together – 1 K Family Fun Run (5 laps around our course).

9:20 am: Pre-K / age 4 and under – 50 meter dash.

9:30 am: Grades K and 1 / ages 5-6 – 100 meter dash.

9:40 am: Grade 2 and 3 / ages 7-8 – 200 meters (1 lap around course)

9:50 am: Grades 4 and 5 / ages 9-10 – 500 meters (2.5 laps around course)

The Kids’ Ramble features age-specific races ranging from the 50-yard dash to 500-yard dash, as well as a Dedham Family Fun Run around the perimeter of the kids’ field. Any child wearing an official registration number who crosses the finish line will get a ribbon and a free book, donated by The Blue Bunny and several associated children’s publishing houses. Co-sponsored by the The Blue Bunny Bookstore and its non-profit partner, the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity, as well as the Dedham Library Innovation Team, the kids’ ramble typically draws between 200-300 children and their families from Dedham and surrounding towns, and all are invited to participate at no charge.  The children’s event has been named for bestselling author, illustrator, and educator Peter H. Reynolds’ book The North Star.

Location is the rear grounds of the Endicott Estate in Dedham

The 10K James Joyce Ramble celebrates art, literature and athletics.

Learn More About the Race

The children’s event has been named for nationally-acclaimed author, illustrator, and educator Peter H. Reynolds’ book The North Star (FableVision Press). Before stepping onto the race path, you can read a free on-line version of The North Star.