Outcry After 6-Year-Old Runs Full ‘Flying Pig’ Marathon 

If he was seating 8 hrs in front of TV, no one will be criticizing the parents.

A lot of young kids go through HOURS of hard physical training. As long as the parents and his doctor monitor his health and development theres no issue.

I mean, when I was 16, my 7 year old cousin who had cancer wanted to do a marathon. And a couple of the family ran with him. He ended up being the one to keep me running because I absolutely abhore running. He didn't finish and we decided to leave and when he was done his brother carried him on his back on the way to the car. It was great to see him do something he wanted so badly but couldn't before.

He doesn’t look or sound distressed. This is a great way to have fun, celebrate achievements together, and learn self-discipline.

He clearly wasn’t running the whole time to complete the marathon in eight hours and thirty six minutes. If it is something the family enjoys doing together, and they can opt out at any point, I don’t see a problem with it. It’s a lot better than spending the day on the couch. And he clearly prepped properly by having completed a half marathon previously. Kudos to this six year old for completing the marathon! 😱😍🙌

Kids have so much energy. Looks like he was having fun for the most part.

Those people who criticize the parents need to calm down! They weren’t harming the kid. It’s great for a kid to be active, but you still shouldn’t push your child to the limits.

He wanted to do it, and he walked when he needed. He wasn't pushed/forced. Especially considering this wasn't his *first* marathon, and had some idea of what he was getting into.

And yet, he did it and is healthier than ever. It may not be for everyone, but this kid did it multiple times. Great job!! Be safe and have fun!🥰👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Teaching the kid to overcome hardship at a young age is honestly one of the greatest things a parents can teach their child. Plus it creates family bonds. Props to this family and the kid!

It's really tough running a marathon, especially for this child and family, however they stuck with it and got through the race. Great Job!

If he didn’t want to do it he would’ve thrown a tantrum and stopped. He actually looked like he wanted to be there. Plus we‘re coming from a perspective of aging. He’s still a kid and they’ve got lots of energy and zero back pain and knee problems like we do. 😂

looks like he was having fun, let the kid decide for himself. He is happy that he got a medal so guess what he can say to half the people who said he shouldn’t have done it, he can tell them he did it. I am proud this kid tried it.

Most kids cant handle a marathon, but this kid has been training. Plus he loves running. So good job guys getting ur kids out there and having fun. Great job little man. Much love little guy. 💜💜

He completed a challenging activity with his family. Strength, endurance, confidence, and family unity. This is so important for him. I'm sad that this won't be "allowed" any more. He appears to be in a loving supportive environment. It's about so much more than running.

This family is a family of marathon and long distance runners. The entire family including Rainer also hiked the eniter Appalachian Trail a few years ago and documented it on Facebook. I think it's amazing!

As long as he’s kept hydrated, supervised, and allowed to tap out whenever he wants, I see no issue. Plus, he’s having fun.

I can see where people will get the wrong idea but it seems like he wasn’t forced into it

I ran a lot of marathons and did a lot of triathlons as a young kid. I started around 8 years old with a biathlon. The only thing it did to me was cause me to have an enlarged heart. I’m 40 now and haven’t had very much heart trouble from the enlarged heart but my doctor said it can be an issue sometimes in child athletes.

I have no problems with this. He seems healthy, doesn't look stressed, and has plenty of support next to him. Great Job bud!

As long as the child isn't being forced and is doing it willingly there is nothing wrong with this. I used to run marathons with my dad in Texas when I was 10 years old. It was fun for me and some of our best memories. I

they run it every year, their daughter first ran it when she was 6 too. their training process showed it was child led, they ran when he wanted to run and walked when he wanted to walk with gentle encouragement in between

Seriously, people cant let children handle challenges without being judged? At least he won a medal for something he actually earned rather than just being present.

I can't see how his parents did anything wrong when he was running, he did it on his own, he could have given up any time he wanted. I see him tougher than me.

I've done both half and full marathons and while I can't imagine doing them at 6 years old, I commend this family for making running a part of their lives.

I’m a little surprised there were no restrictions on age. A lot of the half marathons I’ve done have an age minimum of 13.

He's healthy, happy and loved. Let's move on!!

As long as they gave him some breaks and made sure he stayed hydrated, as well as warm and safe, I see no problem with it. We were ridiculously active kids and our parents took us on hikes/bike rides/running 2ks all the time. It’s not abuse if the kid has fun/agreed to do it. This seems targeted

I grew up in the 80's and 90's. kids were so active playing outdoors that we did more than 26 miles a day

This is incredible. What an accomplishment. Most never run a marathon in their entire life and he already has one in the bag at the age of six. More proof just how amazing the human body can me. Great supportive family.

Why is everyone hating on the parents, the kid seems like he really enjoys it.

My niece is 4. She hiked over 3,000 miles with me last summer when she was 3. One day, our hike was 13 miles up and down a mountain. This year we'll be sure to hike more than the 3k we did last year. Come at me.

I remember this family from an interview they did a couple years back, when they had CPS called on them for letting their kids hike the Appalachian trail with them. People need to leave this family alone and just let kids be active.

Congratulations on finishing the marathon bud!! He's not the only child to do something very physical. Kudos to the boy and family. For keeping themselves physically active.

The fact that they admitted that he was asking every 3 minutes to stop and they kept bribing him to keep going is absolutely gross. This shows him the wrong options: getting an award and put yourself at risk or not get the reward. He needs to know that if it’s too much, not only does he have the option to stop but he HAS to stop so no health issues will arise.

That’s cool as hell what an awesome kid

dude ur giving a kid a good start and life to train to be a professional athlete and if its his choice to run its his so respect what this child wants to do

He looks like he's having fun! If he didn't want to do it he would say so and throw a fit.. That is awesome! He obviously is physically developed because he did it and is fine..

This is obviously a very active family He will mimic what he sees He is going at his pace Now that being said, his body does get an early start on aging and degeneration. Running takes a toll on the bones and joints. Hopefully the family knows enough about proper recovery and maintenance for their high impact activities.

I've ran a few marathons and knows what it takes physically! I agree with the doctor, I love seeing kids out and getting exercise, but that may be a little much for a 6 year old. In perspective, with his extremely short stride length, I would imagine he racked up 100,000 steps in those 8 hrs! 😳

I've seen kids younger than him walk through deserts and go through Rivers without the support of doctors or even adults sometimes and they come out alive. He will be okay

i grew up just 5 minutes down the road from this family and worked in a restaurant on the course that they would run every single day together as a family. running is something they have always done as a family, all of their kids started running marathons at young ages and not to mention they all walked the entire Appalachian trail in like 5 1/2 month!! i support them 100% and we practically grew up in the same city! go watch their youtube channel!!! screw the haters!

When I was little my uncle used to take me on trips to the city starting early in the day and finishing late at night with lots of non stop walking involved. I always remember feeling tired and since I was little I was the kid who hated walking and wanted to be carried because I tired out quickly. I had lots of energy at age two and it fizzled out. So this kid is legendary

He did something that I never did and I'm proud of him!

Love the dad’s comment “we thought this was best for OUR family.” Too true, this is their family, not a choice that is up to anyone other than them (maybe the race organizers though, lol). I couldn’t do a marathon…he is just one kid that has a passion at an early age and that is incredible!! Most people don’t find passions in life until much later!!!

I can't believe someone would get upset over this. If the boy wasn't forced there's really not a problem.

You should have watched their channel before y’all did this article. All their children have run from a young age and they have always had the opinion of medical personnel before allowing their children to participate. Watch as their biggest critics will be from a religious alt right group who has always been attacking them for speaking up.

Raise your own kids, how is anyone “outraged”. If everyone tried as hard as these parents to engage their children and be present, many kids would accomplish great things. And like this little guy, grow up bragging and proud of themselves. This little dude will carry this pride his whole life. He ran a marathon at 6 and completed it. His parents helped him through a hurdle that that he enjoyed, is proud of and will impact his life forever. Props to the mom and dad for being involved. Many parents should take notes

The issue is he isn’t going to say he wants to stop even if he does. He’s going to want to finish with the family. But the clip of him saying it was stressful, it’s too much on a kids body. Sure, I get the let the kid live his life thing, but that’s way to much stress on his body.

He looks fine and it looks like his parents were being very responsible, God blessed them 🙏 ❤ and may God continue to bless them 🙏

The most important question about this is that did HE want to do it? If he wanted to do this and the parents at least talked to him about it and at the very least stayed with him the whole way not only to support him but to also make sure he's safe and not beyond exhausted (kids have boundless amounts energy anyways). Then I see no reason to find this wrong or negligent.

I get the concern but from all looks of it this is a non-issue. The kid seems happy and well condition for the activity without being forced and he probably healthy and more displined then most of his peers.

just because your kids aren’t an endurance beast like this Superman of kid, doesn’t mean that you have to go get your pitch fork and start going after the parents.

You can tell this comment section is filled with people who have never run a marathon a day in their lives. I live near this marathon and do it every year. It is an adult event, 18+, and this family broke the rules to force their toddler child into something that he has no mental capacity to understand. People on the course literally watched this family coerce the child who was crying to finish the race. It is extremely taxing on anyone’s body, let alone a growing child. But please keep excusing the actions of a family that has been investigated for child abuse for years.

As a parent I think this is absolutely AMAZING! I’m so proud of this little guy!

Worry about yourself, mind your business. This family achieved something amazing that most critics can't do. The parents were present and attentive, the boy learned perseverance and determination. Mind your biscuits Karen's of the world.

Bruh I’ve been in marathons since I was 7, just let the kid do what he loves best with his family.

Leave this family alone. As a society, we complain kids don’t get enough exercise but then when a little boy like this one doing a marathon (I’m 26 and have never done one) that’s amazing. It’s not like he’s doing one every single day :/ I honestly found this awesome and hope he keeps doing what he loves .

This is one of the most wholesome things I’ve ever seen!!! Well done, Bud.

The parents said that the little boy was struggling and crying and wanted to stop every 3 minutes so it looks like they have NOT respected the boy’s wish to stop when he wanted to. They also had to promised him potato chips to keep him going??? So many wrong things with this!!

Out of all the bad parenting stuff out there; this gets on the news? Don’t let your kids run marathons, but letting them spend all day on social media or on video games is okay. No outrage there.

Great job little kid I hope you keep this up when you get older don’t let anyone keep you down and people shouldn’t tell little kids what to do if they want to follow their dreams

That kids gonna be a badass all because his parents let him do stuff like this

My generation playing outside everyday was like doing a triathlon!!!! From swimming to running to monkey bars back to running and riding bikes. Tag, hide and seek, red rover, freeze tag and other sorts of games. Climbing trees jumping off houses. How many of you all can relate. He wants to do it let him. If he is tired he will stop. He looked very happy. Happy for this family!!!!

He said" most stressful thing in his entire life" and he only 6.

This kid seems perfectly fine. We also gotta remember that he is the youngest of four - as someone who grew up in a big family myself, the youngest kids sometimes can do things that other kids usually cant or wouldn't because they don't have the safe support (even subconsciously) of older siblings.

He's really strong

He probably would feel left out if he’s not with his family in those races.

My kid hikes 5-10 miles every weekend, sometimes twice. Its all up to how he feels. You just have to go prepared.

This just shows who spent most of their childhood inside. I never signed up for a marathon but i was outside running playing around from dawn to dusk on the weekends and summers.

People need to leave this family alone! They’ve been running as a family for many years! Congrats Rainer!!!! He was sooo cute as a baby & toddler on the Appalachian Trail!

The world has literally become such a sad place. People get outraged and complain over EVERYTHING!

Honestly, I’m impressed kid keep up the hard work.

People really need to mind their own damn business. That little guy looked like he was enjoying himself. Round of applause to you young man. Awesome job

6 year old old:”This is the most stressful time in my life.” Doctors and marathon organizers: “We don’t recommend this for children under 18.” The majority of the comments: “He loved it, and wanted to do it.”

And if the parents informed him of how to listen to his body then they're doing everything the right way. Kudos to them for bringing up a champion

That’s crazy that he did a marathon and half marathon at 6 I just did my first half marathon a couple weeks ago and I’m 18 that’s incredible so proud of him

I was a runner as a kid but this Is straight up child abuse. I never ran miles long. That’s disgusting.

So we going to gloss over the fact that he said it's the most stressful thing he had to do ever in his little life

What is the big deal? He was able to do it. I don’t think it’s that serious. The kid finished it too that’s one hell of an accomplishment. He’s definitely going to be a great runner as he gets older that’s for sure

Leave him alone. I bet $1 that the ones who find “outrage” in this have never ran or exercised in their life.

Its the kids and his family’s choice of what he does. We dont know him do we? Exactly! He can handle it and he seems to love it!! Very adorable

People need to stop reacting over the small things. He did it and I am proud of him. Age doesn’t fully define a person. It is literally a number. If his parents forced him or abused him to make him run it, then I would absolutely without a doubt feel terrible, but not in this case.

Yes it's up to the kid, but rewarding his actions for training conditions him to believe that through doing such strenuous work he will be rewarded and encouraged by his family therefore making them proud, while giving up could have been understood as not meeting their standards and letting them down. Not a scientist but I remember feeling like that as a kid and I know of cousins who went through the same thing (specificallywith soccer and baseball); either way it's generally difficult to fully communicate with a child and have them understand specific detrimental consequences. At least he looked happy 🤷🏻‍♀️

If it ain’t your kid mind your business. He ain’t getting hurt he doesn’t seem unhappy

That's not a kid that's GOKU.

Honestly this is a good lesson in discipline. If he's okay, then I see no issue. I used to run half marathons. That took me 2-3 hours.

I’d be very proud of that kid! You go kid!

"This was the most stressful..." if you child is stressed and is vocal about it, its probably time to stop

I know a bunch of people that couldn't even finish a half marathon because of how gruesome it is. Most of them don't finish because of lack of preparation. As a long distance runner myself, I know what it takes to run a full marathon and half marathon. I've coached and I know how much stress is being put on the body and mind to be able to perform at a high level. The kid is 6 years old running a full-marathon, not a half-marathon. Believe me, there is no way you're going to find a child on the face of this planet that would willingly want to run and complete a full-marathon. Contrary to some people's beliefs, running takes a toll on your joints, especially if you don't have strong ligaments and tendons. I presume the child didn't take an adequate amount of time to prepare for the full-marathon. Walking and/or running for 8+ hours isn't fun for any child and the parents should know better.

I wish we had more longitudinal studies on this sort of subject. While the acute effects seem little, I'm interested to see what may develop later in life. As for the moral side, a child would definitely throw a tantrum and stop if he wanted, we do not see this but this may be obfuscated from the video.

He is a prodigy in his field. Nobody would get mad if he was a prodigy in math or playing the violin. The truth is that even those prodigies have to practice hard hours and hours on end to become outstanding good. It's demanding and exhausting no mather what.

A full marathon at 6yrs old is insane. It's too much for his little body.

People upset that a 6 year old is healthier than most fully grown adults in this country.

This exprience will definitely teach him a thing about endurance. I hope it will help train this young man to be a more resilient person.

Another example of parent goals overriding common sense. What happens when hes denied entry in the future, or his body reacts later, to such stress. Listen to the DOCTOR!!

Well, before women weren't allowed to run marathons. So why not kids? Don't discriminate them.

Where I live, you have to be a minimum of 18-years-old to run in a marathon. There is no parental consent allowed for minors -- even those who might be able to handle a distance of 26.2 miles.

They don't want kids to run marathon, they want kids to be gay, lesbian,trans,binary, non binary, non decimal

He looks happy and motivated. Im sure that running with a conditioned 40 lbs body is pretty easy. It is probably harder to keep him focused on running than it is for him to run. I am great at running. My parents would make me run to a faraway street sign when I was a kid when they got mad at me. The round trip to the sign and back was over a mile and a half. They got mad at me a lot.