Has anyone tried running with the Baby Jogger City Mini GT? Post Reply

[kiwimum2]

I know that the manufacturers state it isn't intended for jogging but I'd really like to only buy one stroller and thought that maybe with the handbrake and fixed front wheel with shocks it could be a go-er?

[twinsplusone]

I've run with the baby jogger city double, (side-by-side) its fine.

I think its an EU rule as to why no pram can be said to be safe to run with. In the US its different and the baby joggers are all marketed for running.

You can run with any pram, but bigger wheels make it much smoother, and better for comfort with one handle.

[kiwimum2]

Thanks! This is good to know. What sort of terrain do you run on? I'm not really looking to do any very serious running but just to have the option of a 5-6km jog. What sort of distances do you do? Well done on running with the double! I'm impressed!
Does the bar across the back get in the way of your feet while running or anything?

Thanks again!

[runningmummy]

Ive run with it a lot and found it fine to use. I think it is to do with the wheel size and whether it has a hand strap as to whether is passes the legal rules. The only thing is to be careful up and down pavements as it can swerve off a little. as long as you are fairly strong and can keep hold of the buggy it is completely fine. Don't use until the baby can hold head though.

[kiwimum2]

Thanks. If you lock the front wheel, does this help the swerving? Have you ever used it off pavement? What sort of distances do you run? Do the smaller wheels make it quite bumpy? How old was your little one when you started running with it? I promise this is the last of my questions!

[runningmummy]

NO worries. I spent a while deciding whether to buy at as I didn't really want a giant wheeled bob and after much research this seemed the closest to a proper running buggy.

I use it for up to about 8k. I usually run about 5k on park pavements. When I have gone off pavements on to soil or grass I often lock the wheels. I sometimes lock if I have a long stretch of flat surface.

It is true that it is an EU rule but in the US all baby joggers are considered ok for jogging (hence the name). Conversely, the Maclaren XT that goes almost flat that says it is suitable for new-borns is allowed here but says not suitable for new borns in the US!

You can also always attach a long strap to the handle bars that you loop round your wrist if you were to trip and let go of the buggy. I didn't bother but you could do that.

I think I would'nt use it if you planned to run a lot, for a long time on particularly bumpy surfaces and it maybe an uncomfortable ride for the tot.

I started running with buggy when baby was about 3-4 months starting on very smooth pavements. All my children absolutely loved it , the baby particularly loved looking straight up at the trees when in the carry cot.

[runningmummy]

oh and meant to say no it wasn't particularly bumpy with the smaller wheels. I previously had one with larger wheels and it was slightly smoother but not a huge difference.

[kiwimum2]

Thanks so much! Very helpful! I'm the same in that I don't really want a big BOB type one as I was hoping to just get one stroller rather than one for each occasion. The running ones seem quite bulky for every day use so if the GT can be used for the odd jog, I think it is the best all round option.

Thanks again. You have been most helpful:)

[zaza107]

We had the BJ Performance for running and the BJ City mini for everything else. The BJP is genuinely built for running, and it really wouldn't work as a regular buggy, as it's huge and folds down only if you remove the side wheels. It's brilliant for running, and with the bike tyres and suspension, much better - more comfortable, less bouncing/impact, etc - for both the child and the runner. The seat is much snugger for the child, too, so it's fine to run off road. It's a big expense but both my husband and I run and we decided it was worth it. There's a decent second hand market for these, too.

I really wouldn't run with the BJ City Mini, but that is just my view. If you do, I'd definitely put a strap on it and would stick to paved paths.