Tiny Shoes, Big Goals: 5-Year-Old Carl Junction Runner Trains for His First 5k with Dad

By Amy Howe

If you happen to spot a determined little boy zipping through the neighborhoods of Carl Junction, Missouri, with a focused stride and a proud grin, chances are you’ve seen 5-year-old Cyrus Erie training with his dad, John. While most kindergartners are chasing butterflies or playground slides, Cyrus is chasing something else entirely: the finish line.

This October, Cyrus will lace up his favorite barefoot-style sneakers and toe the starting line of his first 5k race at the Schifferdecker Glow Run in Joplin. And if you ask him how he feels about that, his answer is simple: “Running with my dad makes me feel happy because we are together.”

Cyrus’s love for running wasn’t born on a track or trail; it started from the sidelines. John, a seasoned runner and pastor, remembers the moment clearly.

“Before he ever ran a race himself, Cyrus would come with me to mine. He’d cheer from the sidelines, ask questions and one day he looked up at me and said, ‘When do I get to do one?’” John shared. “That’s when we signed him up for his first fun run, a 400-meter dash at the Carl Junction Bluegrass Festival in 2023. He loved it.”

From there, Cyrus’ interest only grew. He began running kids’ fun runs at the same races his dad participated in. This spring, when the Southwest Missouri Track Club launched a kids’ running program, Cyrus was all in. Though the longest distance for his age group was 800 meters, Cyrus wanted more—and eventually stepped up to run the 1,500-meter race at district meets.

“When he saw he could go longer, he wanted that challenge. I told him we’d have to train beyond our usual practices. He agreed without hesitation,” John said. “He’s just wired for pushing himself.”  

Now, father and son are preparing for the 3.1-mile Glow the Distance 5k together, and their training is equal parts structure and imagination.

“I had an old Garmin watch and started him on one of Garmin’s adaptive 5k training plans,” John shared. “Right now, his runs vary from 1 to 2 miles, and we’ll work up to the full 3.1. Sometimes we run the streets near our home, but we’ll hit some trails soon to switch things up.”  

Despite his young age, Cyrus is learning endurance in the most authentic way: by doing the hard things. And he’s not afraid to push through discomfort.  

“There were times that he finished the run crying but didn’t want to stop until it was done. He’s fallen, scraped his knees and gets back up. That resilience is already part of who he is,” John said.  

Of course, not every run is serious. John knows how important it is to keep things fun. “We split the runs into focus time and fun time,” he said. “During warm-ups and cool-downs, he might zigzag, pretend he’s a superhero or hop over sidewalk cracks. During the workout part, we focus.”  

When Cyrus starts to slow down, John gets creative. “I’ll say, ‘I bet you can’t beat me to the next mailbox!’ and he’s off. We’ve raced imaginary dragons and activated rocket boots. Because when you’re 5, running should still feel like play.”  

Running alongside his son has also given John opportunities to share life lessons in a language Cyrus understands.

“We talk a lot about choosing discipline over motivation,” John said. “There are days when neither of us wants to run. But we talk about how motivated people start things, and disciplined people finish them.”  

Cyrus is also learning about mindset. “We’re shifting away from saying, ‘I’m tired,’ and instead say, ‘I can finish strong.’ It’s not just about running – it’s about life.”

As a pastor, John sees spiritual parallels in every training session. “Things like enduring hardship, trusting the process and finding joy in perseverance. Cyrus is very intelligent, and I believe if he can grasp that he’s capable of doing hard things now, God will do incredible things through him in the future.”

Despite his age, Cyrus already has a growing collection of medals. “I like the ones where I ran the longest,” Cyrus said. “My favorites are the Firecracker 5000 in Branson and the Joplin Memorial Run because I got to run a whole mile in both of them.”  

And like any seasoned runner, Cyrus knows that the finish line comes with perks.

How does he feel when he crosses the finish line? “I feel proud,” he said simply, and what more could you want from a race?

Post-race snacks are another highlight. Cyrus’s go-to recovery meal? “Bananas, bunny crackers, chocolate granola bars and blueberry Body Armor,” he said.  

Cyrus’ imagination is as limitless as his energy. If he could win a medal for anything else, he says it would be “the Olympics, soccer, basketball, baseball and football.” When asked where in the world he’d love to run, he didn’t hesitate. “California! I’ve always talked about California. And the North Pole … there are polar bears and you can explore everything.”  

Cyrus’ running journey hasn’t gone unnoticed. Whether he’s at local races or track meets, he’s often the youngest one on the course, and the crowd can’t help but root for him.  

“Older kids will come over after a race, shake his hand and tell him how cool it was that he ran,” John said. “Spectators, neighbors, even strangers, cheer him on. It’s encouraging, not just for him, but for me as a dad. People notice perseverance, and they’re inspired by it.”  

When asked what advice he’d give other parents who want to support their kids in something active, John said, “Let your kids lead the way, and then meet them there. Focus more on effort than outcome. Cheer their courage. Applaud their consistency. And if you can do it with them, that’s even better.”

He added, “There will be tantrums. There will be tired days. But over time, you’re helping them build resilience, confidence and a foundation for lifelong health – both physical and spiritual. And that’s worth every mile.”  

This October, as the sun sets and the glow sticks light up the Joplin streets, Cyrus will run his very first 5k – not just as a competitor, but as an example of grit, joy and the power of doing something hard with someone you love.  

And if you happen to be there cheering, keep an eye out for a green tank top, a proud smile and a little boy with big dreams and even bigger heart.

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