Tails are not required for kites to fly. Tails are one method of stability.
It is not necessary to run to launch a kite.
There is a book on amazon.com that answers these questions clearly. It's called, "Kite Physics." It gives a visual explanation of the physics of kites in flight. With 125 pictures, illustrations, and 65 experiments. It answers the questions: Are tails required on a kite? How can I improve the flight of my kite? What are the forces that act on my kite? What changes can I try? Do kites glide? What are some applications of kites that I can explore? How do kites fly?