Everyone Still Talking About The Couple That Let Their Six-Year-Old Child Run a Marathon
This caused a big debate online this weekend: A couple named Ben and Kami Crawford are exercise nuts from Kentucky. They have six kids and run a YouTube channel called "Fight for Together". And they're in the news because they just let their six-year-old son run a full MARATHON in Cincinnati last week, all 26.2 miles.
His name is Rainer, and it was the first time the whole family had run one together. Their other five kids have done them before.
Ben and Kami claim he begged them to do it, and they never forced him. They also kept checking to make sure he was fine, and let him know he could stop if he wanted to.
Some people think they DID pressure him though. For example, Ben admitted Rainer was crying when there was nothing left at the snacks table with six miles to go. So they told him they'd get him Pringles later if he kept going.
He ended up finishing in 8 hours and 35 minutes. It sounds like he was pretty tired, but okay.
And by the way, they also let their daughter run her first marathon at six.
Organizers of the race also caught heat and say they'll be better about enforcing their age limit of 18.
One person who spoke out was Olympic runner Kara Goucher. (goo-SHAY) She said a six-year-old might not realize they have the right to stop.
Photo: Getty Images