This might just be my opinion but this seemed so wrong to me. a Kentucky family received a visit from Child protective services after allowing their 6-year-old to run (really walk) in a marathon with them. The marathon was just over 26 miles, which sounds insane for a 6-year-old but after you read the details I think you’ll understand why I say this is the most ridiculous CPS claim this year.
Kami and Ben Crawford explained what happened on their Instagram:
“On Friday, social workers came to our house and interviewed our children because leaders in the running community are calling running with children wrong,” the post says. It then shows a picture of Rainier seated at a table outside the family’s home supposedly speaking with one of the CPS workers.
“This needs to stop,” the Crawfords wrote in the caption to their Instagram post. “Our children are having emotional breakdowns, NOT from running, but from a mob that has been weaponized by [running’s] most accomplished and celebrated individuals. They are stating that children running is abusive and not providing any data or facts. The reports and stance are false. Hundreds of witnesses including police officers and hours of video footage corroborate. When will you apologize and retract?”
The family also noted that Rainier “adamantly decided that he wanted to run a marathon,” stating that he begged to be in the race.
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As the controversy swarmed around the family, Olympic long-distance runner Kara Goucher condemned the parents for allowing Rainier to run in the 26.2 mile race.
“I don’t know who needs to hear this but a six year old cannot fathom what a marathon will do to them physically,” Goucher wrote on May 4. “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.”
“I’m not questioning motivation or saying it is bad parenting. But as an Olympic athlete, I promise you this is not good for the child. Children are children. Let them run around, but as the parent you need to protect their growing bodies and their young minds,” she added.
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
The Crawfords responded to the controversy in another Instagram post last week. “On May 1 our family of 8 finished an entire 26.2 mile marathon,” the family wrote in the caption of the post, which showed Ben Crawford, Kami Crawford, and their 6 children crossing the finish line together.
“This is the first marathon our entire family has run together. Our 5 older kids waited for over an hour at mile 25 and after 8 hours and 35 minutes we all crossed the finish line together. After 2 days celebrating with friends, how we spent our day has got a lot of attention from some who are accusing us of being irresponsible and even abusive,” the post noted.
The Crawfords wrote that they “have never forced any of [their] children to run a marathon” and “cannot even imagine that as feasible practically or emotionally.”
So here is the roundup and why I say we’re punishing this family for being healthy; the child was not forced to participate. Given that it took them nearly 9 hours to travel a little over 26 miles, the family walked and took plenty of breaks. At their rate, they walked just under 3 miles and hour—roughly.
So I say, they’re being unfairly punished. Not to mention, the kid HAD something to be proud of. An impressive accomplishment. That is until his family got investigated and put on display because god forbid the Karens of this world let amazing people do amazing things. That’s just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.