Parents of 6-year-old boy made to run marathon are criticised

Photo: @fightfortogether

Influencer parents Kami and Ben Crawford have come under fire on social media, as well as mainstream media outlets, for running a marathon with their six-year-old son on 1 May. The YouTubers, who go by Fight for Together on their social channels, took part in the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, along with six of their children including youngest boy Rainier, crossing the finish line together in 8 hours and 35 minutes.

Ben Crawford admitted in an Instagram post last week that Rainier had cried during the marathon: “he was struggling mentally and physically and wanted to take a break and sit every three minutes”. He went on to state that he’d promised Rainier packs of Pringles if he kept moving, and even had to promise him a pack to take part in their family picture at the race finish line. “I paid him off,” Ben told his followers.

Following backlash from social media users who were shocked by the posts documenting Rainer’s run, Kami and Ben took to their channels to defend their decision to allow him to race, penning a long open letter about allowing their children to run marathons. In the letter, the parents cite various sources supporting a level of ambiguity around the age at which children may start taking part in long-distance running and suggesting that there is no evidence that there are associated risk factors for children. They also state that marathons have always been an ‘optional activity’ for their children.

Responses from critics have varied from disapproving Tweets to reports to child protection services. According to Kami and Ben, US Child Protective Services visited their house and interviewed the family for over an hour.

Olympian Kara Goucher publicly shared her thoughts on the situation on Twitter, explaining that a child “cannot fathom what a marathon will do to them physically”.

I don’t know who needs to hear this but a six year old cannot fathom what a marathon will do to them physically. A six year old does not understand what embracing misery is. A six year who is “struggling physically” does not realize they have the right to stop and should.

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) May 4, 2022

Currently, race regulations state that participants in the Flying Pig Marathon must be aged 18 or over. When questioned about this, organisers argued that Ben Crawford was “determined to do the race with his young child regardless” and that by allowing Rainier to participate they could ensure he was provided with “medical, fluid and replenishment” support.

Organisers also released a statement claiming that the family had entered the marathon in previous years as ‘bandits’ (unregistered, unpaid runners) and that they feared they would do the same again if they didn’t allow them to participate. The Crawfords claim they have always paid for race entry have rejected the use of the term ‘bandits’ to refer to their children running alongside them, saying: “you don’t own the streets and you don’t own running”.

The full open letter from the Crawford family about allowing their children to participate in marathons can be found on their social media pages.