These pop up every few years. When I was in high school it was Bria wetsch. Think she had a website seebriarun.com or something like that. Then Brianna jaca something or other. Alana Hadley. Grace ping. So many more. Jordan hasay was one of the few who was fast at 12 and did much in college and beyond. I hope she is enjoying it now. That’s what matters. Hopefully it stays fun and if she wants to change direction down the road I hope she can without any family pressure otherwise.
She could run actual organized youth track and cross country. With other kids her age.
The biggest marathon organizer in the US doesn't even allow kids this age to run the marathon.
For good reason.
The point is to make money via social media and get attention from outlets like the LA Times.
Normal stuff = no attention. Basically child abuse.
Yep, they're taking advantage of the fact that hardly anyone else their age is doing these kinds of things (for good reason) so they stand out and get notoriety.
I truly hate stories like this. There is a girl near me who is setting all kinds of records, but whenever I see her she looks miserable. Last spring, she cried at the end of one of her track races because she didn't PR. From what I hear it's pretty typical.
And the family may think she has all kinds of talents, but just wait until high school when kids from other sports enter the mix.
I can't imagine what a miserable experience running is for these kids.
I've known multiple women who've found giving birth to be an awful experience.
Yet some of them have birthed more than one child.
Pretzel, adults are capable of making decisions and setting tough goals for themselves that - typically - aren't primarily about earning the love of the one person in their life that should love them unconditionally.
Now, I am sure the dad loves his little girl unconditionally and truly believes that she is enjoying this... but the question is whether the young girl knows that her dad loves her unconditionally. My concern only grows stronger reading that he is an only parent.
In the end, I hope that she is able to continue loving this wonderful sport and remain injury free. As we all know, bodies and interests change as children age, especially with girls. I hope he is working with her pediatrician to make sure they stay within the bounds of healthy activity.
Doing something most other people your age aren’t doesn’t by itself make someone great at something. Likely nothing special at normal distances for her age, so parents needed to find a way for her to be “special”.
It is sad to see parents do this to their kids. Obviously living through their child and pushing them way too far, this isn't the only sport that it happens. I had a friend growing up a very long time ago that was ruined in baseball by his Dad. I have seen it happen in soccer, golf, basketball, you name it.
There is a difference in supporting your kid and helping them grow in the sport and improve and then going completely over the top and ruining it all.
Ventura marathon is down hill, and with super shoes this about a 3:07 effort on flat course. Ruining the kid by smashing up her legs on downhill course, rather than smart path of track/xc
This is sad and completely reckless by the father. Who knows what this type of training can do to a 12 year old. Does she even like running? Certainly can count out her having a long career unfortunately.
World Athletics requires athletes to turn 20 the year of the Olympics in order to be eligible to run the marathon.
Even in the extraordinarily unlikely event that she was fast enough to make the team, she wouldn’t even be able to enter the Olympic Trials due to her age.
It is sad to see parents do this to their kids. Obviously living through their child and pushing them way too far, this isn't the only sport that it happens. I had a friend growing up a very long time ago that was ruined in baseball by his Dad. I have seen it happen in soccer, golf, basketball, you name it.
There is a difference in supporting your kid and helping them grow in the sport and improve and then going completely over the top and ruining it all.
having grown up in a state that has middle schoolers compete with the high school i've seen a ton of this both in the state and in my hometown... the kids in my hometown were very good from ages as young as 12 and good enough in high school to at least earn some scholarship to good running universities. Oddly enough the only ones (2) that made anything of their running career beyond high school didn't have insane parents... i always viewed this overinvolvement as some sort of child abuse.
Ya. Remember American Grace Ping. Had like a 5 a US record for 5K in 7th grade. Ran Footlocker. Her father kept moving states. Completely bombed at Oklahoma. Her sister Lauren Ping also bombed at Oklahoma. Both these sisters peaked at 12-16.
Grace Ping
Oklahoma State University
B.S. Marketing June 2025
Duke University - Fuqua School
M.M Business Management June 2026
NCAA athlete with 12 seasons of competition.
All paid for with running.
It all worked out OK for her and her parents.
She will be employable post running, which is always the concern of the LRC board.
Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win a LetsRun t-shirt.Help us build the best running shoe review site for a chance to win one of 10 LetsRun t-shirts.