Flying Pig Marathon Criticized After 6-Year-Old Completes 26.2 Mile-Race; Parents Speak Up Against Backlash

A controversy erupted at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati after a 6-year-old boy ran a full 26.2-mile race with his family.

Rainier Crawford was with his parents, Kami and Ben Crawford, and ran with his five other siblings aged 20, 19, 17, 15, and 11. However, the Flying Pig Marathon is supposed to have an age limit of 18 years old.

Upon learning of the 6-year-old-boy, spectators criticized the marathon organizers for allowing the young child to finish an entire race, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. One long-time runner from the Cincinnati Running Club said that he had seen children complete 3.10-mile courses. However, a 26.2-mile race for a 6-year-old, even if he's a child prodigy, is over the top.

Olympian runner Kara Goucher also said that a long and extensive course is never good for a 6-year-old.

But the organizers explained that they get numerous requests to accommodate some racers every year. The Crawfords are known as "racing bandits," or participants who still join the races despite not paying any fee or signing up to register.

Their dad was determined to have his kids in the marathon. Thus, as a compromise, the organizers offered protection and safety for the 6-year-old in terms of fluid, replenishment, and medical attention in case something happens.

Parents Admitted Rainier Struggled and Cried

In a post on Instagram, Rainier's parents said they have gone on many marathons as a family, beginning with their eldest child, who is now in his 20s. They've received 53 medals, mostly earned by their children, after nine years of running together.

Rainier's vitals were monitored at all times during the marathon as his mother is a trained registered nurse. However, they admitted that their youngest did cry during the Flying Pig Marathon because he fell and experienced "standard marathon fatigue."

However, the Crawford parents also said their son decided to complete the full race. He was asked many times if he wanted to quit, especially after he started taking breaks every three minutes, but he was determined to complete the course.

After the Instagram post, Kami and Ben once again issued an open letter after the Child Protective Services visited their home and talked to the children to investigate allegations of child abuse. They said that their kids are experiencing "emotional breakdowns" because of the criticisms; thus, they decided to write the letter to provide answers to all the questions and allegations.

Recommended Marathon Running for Young Kids

Meanwhile, in 2013 a similar debate about young kids running marathons also sparked online after a 9-year-old completed a long race in Antarctica. According to Dr. Steve Rice, a pediatric sports doctor, kids under 18 years old are not advised to join such a physically taxing activity because it can damage vital body parts, per CBS Philly.

The Cleveland Clinic also recommends that young runners below seven years old go on short races of about two miles. On the other hand, older kids may safely join 3.10-mile races, while teens until 15 may run up to a 13-mile race.

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