In brief: As more children and adolescents participate in long-distance running and rigorous training, the possibility of resulting growth plate damage has become a concern. The research literature indicates a need for caution, but no data unequivocally pronounce long-distance running safe or harmful to the developing child. Long-term effects should be studied by examining incidence reports on growth plate injuries, statistically analyzing running-related injuries, and examining youngsters who now participate or have participated in intense long-distance running. The authors emphasize that damage to the growth plate should be avoided through early diagnosis and treatment.