For the three Donathan brothers, spending their Saturdays at Niketown means three completely different things.

"After you are done running, they have fruits and water waiting for you," said 12-year-old Eric, the oldest of the three.

Middle brother, Ken, 9, said, "It's fun, because you can run and after that you can go into the store and check out things you can buy."

And according to the youngest, 7-year-old Allen: "You have a lot of energy and you run really, really far, so I don't ever get tired when I'm running. I wish I could run around Diamond Head, or the world."

The brothers are participating in Niketown's free Keiki Athletic Training Runs, a running club for children. The sessions at Niketown in Waikiki are tomorrow and Oct. 1, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Most of the 25 to 30 participants are from 4 to 16 years old.

The sessions are held in preparation for the Sixth Annual Niketown 5K for Kids at 7 a.m. on Oct. 2.

Participants of the training sessions have the option of two courses. The more advanced runners join the Niketown running club, which consists of adults who meet twice a week. Usually that group runs distances of three miles or more.

The other is for runners who prefer to do a 1- to 2-mile course. That group warms up with relays at Fort DeRussy, as instructors help with pacing, proper hydration and clothes, and encourage them to jog and not walk during runs.

"It's for the kids, to take them for a little run and have fun with that," instructor Christian Friis said. "To tell them how fun it is to run.

"At that age they aren't going to get in better shape, they are just going to get some fresh air; it's not like we're going to train them to do a 10-mile run. It's more for them to enjoy doing things out in the open."

The Donathan family — including mother, Yumiko, and father, Bernie, who ride their bicycles with their children — started exercising earlier this year following that philosophy.

"It makes you stronger and it gives you something to run your energy out on," said Erik, a seventh-grader at Kapolei Middle School.

Yumiko said she wanted her family to be healthy, and the accessibility of the training sessions helps.

"I have three boys, and they want to play sports and with different times and schedules; it is difficult," she said. "Running, if we have shoes, we can practice on our own, too. Niketown gives us the basic knowledge and encourages them to run, so it is a very nice opportunity to us that they can encourage the kids together."

Ken, a fourth-grader at Kapolei Elementary School, doesn't see running as a way to bond with his brothers.

"I like racing against my brothers," he said.

While attending the clinics, Erik said he enjoys training with runners his own age and learning about proper running technique.

Allen, a second-grader at Kapolei Elementary School, said he learned, "you have to move your arms and stand really, really straight."

Yumiko said her sons don't always enjoy running, but "once they are there, people there are very nice and give them advice on how to run and how to control speed, and they are very nice to them, so they like to go there," she said.

The Niketown 5K for Kids is $30, which includes a race T-shirt. Entries will be accepted at nikego.com until Tuesday and at Niketown until Oct. 1. For more information, contact niketown 5K.honolulu@nike.com or call 943-6453. All entrants may choose between a certified 5K (3.1 miles) or NikeGO 1-mile distance, which is encouraged for kids under 12 and their parents.

To join the Niketown Running Club for adults, show up Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or Saturdays at 9 a.m. in front of Niketown. Most courses are three miles or longer. The club is free.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.