She’s 12. She runs an under-3-hour marathon. And she’s prepping for the 2028 Olympics

Shes building a strong aerobic base. 👍

Carrie Garritson ran 2:49 when she was 11 and ran in the 1988 Olympics trials at age 12.

She didn't progress beyond that.

We all know how this is gonna end.

It makes no sense to me that this is encouraged

So this girl's a late bloomer

To her credit, she ran a great marathon. She did not go out at 2:45 pace and crash to finish in 2:58.

Miles 0-6.1 - 6:53.6 pace
Miles 6.1-10.4 - 6:44.4 pace
Miles 10.4-14.4 - 6:47.8 pace
Miles 14.4-20.2 - 6:44.1 pace
Miles 20.2-finish - 6:27.5 pace

But I still see a Carrie Garritson ending to this story.

Or she just isn’t that talented😂 Seriously who knows what a decent time is for that age group given how almost nobody trains or races the distance. If the past few years have proven anything it is that middle schoolers can run really fast if they train. If they should is a different question. Nobody blinks at the Kenyans running 5k+ to and from school. Or soccer kids doing 90mins of training everyday. Swimming show young kids can do a lot of volume but obviously has the benefit of no pounding.

But in the end this always feels extreme. Great to run as a kid. But is she really gaining much versus just running say 3 hour week and doing 5-10k?

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.

Tardy to the party but just saw Grace Ping is on the Duke roster. Random.

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.

What's the point of her doing this?

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.

As an adult who has run marathons-

it is not enjoyable

it is not fun

Yes, I've been watching this girl off-and-on on social media (Instagram reels, I think) for about a year. Her dad posts the videos. He always says how she will NOT run middle school or high school cross country or track. I watch her training alongside adults, looking hollow, unsmiling, just grinding. I think it's so sad. Why not at least let her enjoy the honor of being a (presumably a really excellent) California middle school/high school runner. The dad acts like the Olympic marathon is all her idea, but c'mon. Obviously he could influence her to do high school running first. It seems he thinks it is beneath her level of talent and work ethic.

She did not run in the 1988 Olympic Trials because she was too young.

This family popped up in my YouTube feed a year ago and noticed some concerning issues from their videos.

First, it is quite apparent these kids speak from a script when speaking in front of the camera that I am certain the father wrote. Second, the 12 year old has been underperforming this year with two 3+ hour marathons and a recent 1.5 hour half marathon. She is clearly struggling and no where near 2:37 shape. And lastly, the oldest daughter (who is slower) has vanished from the household likely due to her being sick of her father’s non stop promotion of the younger daughter and his so-called running coaching business.

this is a train wreck waiting to happen yet their followers are oblivious to the situation. Also, the dad is a friend of Floberg. You cannot make this up.

Is Alana Hadley update?

Whatever happened to Bria Wetsch? I remember her early childhood theatrics and that dumb site

Wherever she is I bet she deeply regrets defining herself by her running at such a young age

Jane Hedengren did HS running, but of course this girl is way cooler than her and could never do it

she competed at Oregon (not sure if ever made a nationals team) and post collegiately with pretty solid results considering... sub 2:30 marathon