A lot of children do it to get attention, especially if they have emotional issues or don't get along with their parents. I did try to run away a few times, but I wasn't very good at it!

I never quite knew where to go, I used to come to dead ends and be afraid to go any further, and then I used to turn back and go home, and sit about in the garden for ages. But nobody really said anything or even noticed. If I had had an argument with my mum, she still used to stay arsey with me even if I had gone away for an hour. I suppose she knew I wasn't the type to run away and that I'll always be back. If I had gone for hours, I suppose she would start getting worried and call the police.
I remember trying to run away once when I was 19. It was snowing quite bad, and I hate the snow, so I angrily got my boots and coat on and walked out of the house angrily, kicking the snow as I marched into the street. I got to the other end of the town, then thought there wasn't anywhere else to go. And suddenly my mood lifted and I became in an apologetic mood and so I texted my mum and said sorry then came home. She forgave me, thank God.
yeah I would always calm down after an hour or so, I guess it was my method of cooling off.