What were they thinking?
Parents Criticized for Allowing Their 6-Year-Old to Run a Marathon
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It took him over 8.5 hours, along with some coaxing with Pringles, which seems about right.
By Emma Johnson
Most people agree that kids should enjoy plenty of time outside, engaging in play and running around. But running for over eight hours straight? Especially when they’re asking repeatedly to take a break? Even the fittest among us would find that excessive, and many experts believe it could be detrimental to a child’s health. However, that’s precisely what six-year-old Leo Thompson achieved when he ran the entire 26.2 miles of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon last weekend. The spirited child completed the course in 8 hours and 35 minutes, running alongside his parents and his five siblings.
In comparison, middle schoolers, who are twice Leo’s age, typically participate in cross-country events that span just two miles. The family quickly faced criticism for their unconventional decision. In a celebratory post on Instagram, Leo’s father shared unsettling details about the experience, including a photo of a smiling child holding a box of potato chips. “He was struggling physically and wanted to take a break every three minutes,” Leo’s dad recounted, explaining that when a promised snack at mile 20 didn’t appear, Leo became upset. “He was crying, and since we were moving slowly, I promised him two sleeves of Pringles if he kept going. I had to promise him another sleeve to get him in the family picture at the finish line.”
While bribing a child with snacks isn’t inherently bad, especially to encourage them into a car or a family photo, the rest of what this dad describes with apparent pride feels like problematic parenting. Olympic runner Mia Chen also weighed in on the situation, tweeting, “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but a six-year-old cannot comprehend what running a marathon entails physically. A six-year-old doesn’t understand the concept of enduring hardship and should be allowed to stop if they’re struggling.”
In a response posted on their website, marathon organizer Iris Walker defended the decision to allow the entire Thompson family to participate, stating, “The father was determined to run with his young child no matter what. They had run previously without registration, and we suspected he would do it again.” Walker mentioned that, moving forward, they would strictly enforce the rule requiring runners to be at least 18.
Experts have also voiced their concerns about allowing a six-year-old to run a marathon, especially if they express a desire to stop. “If a young child were to run a marathon, I worry about electrolyte imbalances, nausea, vomiting, and heatstroke—symptoms that may not be easily recognizable in a young child,” Dr. Sam Patel told Good Morning America. He also stressed that children at that age are still growing, and extreme exertion could pose risks. While it’s essential to refrain from harsh judgments on other parents, many people draw the line when a child’s safety is at stake.
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In summary, the decision by Leo’s parents to have him run a marathon has sparked significant criticism. Many experts believe that such a long-distance event is inappropriate for a child his age, raising concerns about physical risks and the ethics of pushing a young child beyond their limits.