Family Of 6-Year-Old Who Ran A 26-Mile Marathon With Them Was Visited By Child Protective Services, Speaks Out About It (Update)
Being an influencer, a YouTuber, or any other type of cewebrity, while romantic and glamorous, still comes with many challenges, one of which is being under a magnifying glass all the time. And it feels even more so if you’re an entire family, and not an individual, that’s in the spotlight.
One such Kentucky family has recently come under very aggressive fire by people online and offline alike for taking their 6-year-old kid to run a full-fledged, 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) marathon together with the entire family of 8, and sharing the journey online.
More Info: CPS Post | Video Explanation | Open Letter To Kara Goucher
Meet the Crawfords, a.k.a. Fight For Together, a family spreading good health and togetherness, who have recently finished a marathon and come under fire for it
Image credits: fightfortogether
Meet the Crawfords, better known online as Fight For Together, a family of 8 who create videos, record podcasts, take pictures and write books with an emphasis on prioritizing relationships. The family is headed by parents Kami and Ben, with 6 kids in tow: Dove, Eden Hope, Seven, Memory, Felia, and Ranier.
The family is known for taking on great physical challenges, namely becoming the largest family to date to hike the Appalachian Trail, and currently having completed 39 marathons. But it is the most recent marathon that has sparked quite a bit of backlash.
People had a huge problem with 6-year-old Ranier running the 26.2-mile-long marathon, leading to reports of the kid being dragged by the parents about halfway through the run
Image credits: fightfortogether
You see, the family of 8 took on the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio, which is a 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) run that raises money for various charities. And all seems fine and dandy until you consider that the youngest member of the family, 6-year-old Ranier, also took part in it—a feat impressive in and of itself, and even more so for a child, but many online considered it overkill for someone that age.
What fueled the issue even more was an Instagram post explaining the struggle that Ranier had to go through to complete the 26-mile trek, namely that the kid was struggling physically and wanted to take frequent breaks (every 3 minutes) due to the exhaustion.
It got so out of hand that 7 people submitted complaints to Child Protective Services, who soon came over for an investigation
Image credits: fightfortogether
The family also published a statement together with a picture of their son Ranier being interviewed by CPS
Image credits: fightfortogether
And while they successfully finished the marathon without any incidents, many were very upset that all of this was allowed and a thing in the first place. Besides many coming out against this, 2-time Olympian Kara Goucher and 3-time Olympic Marathoner Lee Troop have tweeted their disapproval.
The whole issue sparked debates with Olympic athletes voicing their disapproval
Image credits: karagoucher
Image credits: runtroopy
Goucher said a 6-year-old cannot possibly fathom how physically intense a full-blown marathon is to such a young being, not understanding the bodily misery he would need to embrace along the way, and not realizing not only his right to stop, but that he should do so.
Lee Troop also added that this is wrong on multiple levels, pointing out that Ranier shouldn’t have been allowed in the marathon in general, and noting that the parents were effectively bribing him with Pringles.
The backlash got so out of hand that it ultimately led to Child Protective Services (CPS) getting involved, and the parents releasing a 24-minute video on their Instagram explaining the situation.
Image credits: fightfortogether
CPS came over unannounced and held a fairly extensive interview with the family: the kids, the parents, and even the grandmother.
According to the Crawfords, there has to be a specific action, location, and time reported for the CPS to even start an investigation, and as it turns out, there were 7 reports (6 of which were unsubstantiated) claiming that the parents had started dragging the kid after around mile 13 all the way through the end of the marathon, so nearly for half of it. The claim also stated that the kid was crying extensively.
However, in their explanatory video, the Crawfords themselves have said that they have hours of footage and multiple witnesses that can testify otherwise. Moreover, they also explained that while there is nothing official just yet, “there is a wink-wink, nod-nod, you guys aren’t the types of people we’re looking for” situation, so they are likely to be in the clear.
The family has since then posted a detailed 24-minute-long video explanation following the CPS visit
View this post on Instagram
In context, while it is not recommended for kids that young to partake in full marathons, especially since most kids need extensive training and there are risks involved, it is still deemed technically safe for kids under the age of 9 to run extensive distances, as long as people take appropriate measures.
This whole issue sparked quite a bit of discussion and debate online, with one side claiming that this is child abuse and no 6-year-old should be put through a physical experience that some adults sometimes can’t even withstand, with folks getting behind the two aforementioned athletes that opposed this.
However, there were fans of the family as well as regular netizens who defended the family. Folks have pointed out that this is a family that takes everything into consideration, prepares thoroughly, and makes sure everyone’s health is in line, and there is their entire online history to back this up.
And speaking of updates, Ben Crawford got in touch with Bored Panda to share their full side of the story in documentary form:
Internauts were torn on this matter, with some pointing out that having a kid run 26 miles is child abuse, among other things
Many have also expressed how proud they are of the family for keeping haters at bay, considering them heroes because of how much they care for their children’s well being through exercise and staying strong together through difficult times.
It is important to note that one of the Crawfords’ kids, Memory (15), has posted an open letter to Kara Goucher giving context to the issue, pointing out that her words were taken and used against the entire family in hurtful ways, and that her younger siblings have the right to run just like anyone else.
However, there were fans and other internauts who defended the family and expressed their support
The family provides frequent updates on the matter, as well as posts regular content if you’re into all things togetherness, health, and family, on Instagram and YouTube.
The issue is surely multi-sided, but we’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this in the comment section below!
Calling a government agency in because something doesn't 'feel' right is exactly why these agencies exist. People see inappropriate treatment and report it. Then, it's up to the professionals to assess whether there is a problem or not. This is what happened. Yet, this couple seem to think that they are in some way above that level of scrutiny. If you are a good parent, or even an average one, then you have nothing to worry about. Screeching 'misuse of the system' because it affects you just makes it worse. You made a bad choice. Live with it and learn from it. But whatever you do, please keep it to yourselves in future. Then there wouldn't be a problem, would there? Attention-seekers do my head in.
Exactly!
The system *is* often misused. I've seen it more than once myself. That being said, these "parents" are @ssholes.
People see what they *consider* inappropriate treatment. Not always inappropriate. That's why CPS is supposed to do~~sort the BS from the truth.
That line seemed especially odd and out of touch to me, since, as you said, that is the purpose of those agencies!
I see you've never had a visit from cps. It's not usually simple and poor, single parents, or struggling families are often targeted by those who "feel something is wrong". Some of the things they will require to prove you're not abusive often causes more harm than good. I get it, it's a blurry line between reporting abuse and harassing parents who chose to act differently than you think you would have. But it's not "no big deal" if there isn't abuse because on that system you are guilty until proven innocent.
As someone who's been under CPS scrutiny, it really can be nerve-wracking and intrusive, just to name a few. It can go either way. The system helps some, and hinders others. That line can be razor-thin. These family vloggers, a lot of them are really pushing that envelope for the sake of likes/upvotes. Short of taking kids away, however, sometimes good can still come out of it - if you luck out with the right caseworker, then you may be given access to services and support you might never have known about before. That's how it was with us, at least.
Actually that isn't what that agency is for and this is an abuse of an already overwhelmed and ineffective system. It's not about your "feelings" it's about reporting actual abuse. Does this kid have bruises, does he look malnourished, are his parents screaming at him or doing anything else emotional inappropriate to their children, do you see or hear someone grooming a child for sexual abuse, is the child acting out inappropriate scenes with toys or telling stories/memories that are threatening to him/her or abusive in nature, is the child dirty or sick all the time, do they have lots of broken bones or trips to the hosptial?? If the answer is no to all of these question then you have NO RIGHT to say a child is being abused. A 26 mile marthon is not life threatening to a child. Our ancestors were nomadic in nature roaming miles on foot every day. Look at humans in Africa that are still nomadic today and continue to roam with their herd miles and miles everyday and survive.
This comment has been deleted.
U know wht i wanna know....HOW IS IT THE CPS ARRIVES EVERY WHERE THEIR NOT WANTED AND ARE !!!NEVER!!! IN THE PLACE THEY ARE
People who are abusing their kids rarely want CPS there. That's not how this works.
True but others still will call and not get help, my mom does meth and weed, is mentally and emotionally abusive and has assault on her record and I told the cops worker how scared I was that she was gonna hurt me badly one day cause she almost hit my head with a hammer and slapped the top of my head hard 3 times and then bragged about it happy as she could be, and my case got screened so no display name is still right they never are where they are needed it seems like
You mean just like Karens do when they call the cops on someone of color because something doesn't 'feel' right to them. Your logic is flawed. You are right about the social media thing though.
A teacher would have to for that reason
If the people have to make up lies just to get CP interested, those people are the attention-sellers.
I wonder if the parents would have made their child do this in the absence of social media. I have my doubts.
That was my first thought!
Oh but you know there are helping him later in life by giving him exposure. (Do you do /s to show something is sarcasm?)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
They didn’t make him do it tho. If they’re a running family, I guarantee that’s what they do for “fun.” And the kid wanted to do it. Remember there are people who think running upwards of 100+ is fun. Guess what they do to bond with their kids??? They run! My guess is that he isn’t the first 6th to do this. He’s the first 6yo to go viral over it.
@Jill McElroy - You think them bribing him through milestones during the marathon is not making him do it? Sure, he *may* have the autonomy to say "no", but what child wouldn't want to please their parent(s) given the opportunity?
I must agree with those who disagree with these parents. A 6 year old does not have any clue of how hard is to run 26 miles. And really..bribing one with pringles? That's all you can do? Even for a grown up is hard, mostly without any training, to run that long...hell, I get exhausted just rushing to the toilet, are you crazy?? This whole story and the way they are trying to cover their asses, sounds a lot to me like the parents who send their kids to beauty peagents. Their action is not less of a child abuse if they try to highlight how other kids are "really" abused.... seemingly good actions can also be abuse!
Running a marathon without a proper training plan and a full understanding of the challenge is bloody reckless even if you're an adult. For anyone under about 16-18 it's simply downright dangerous. Absolutely reckless parenting, and I say that as someone who's a keen runner and cyclist and comes from a family of keen competitive runners.
I don't know the whole story, but what if there was training and the kids regularly ran long distances with the family. The response from the parents certainly made it sound that way.
This isn't just a long distance, this is extreme distance for a 6 years old.
Sure, bet you wait 5 min to get a parking spot close to the entrance of a store.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So the fact that their website show the family doing running and other excercise together doesn't tell you that the kid actually did have training, and quite likely did know how far it was? Bribing a kid with Pringles would not be enough to keep him running if they were in such a bad state as you're talking about.
Do you even comprehend the reality of how hard it is for a grownup to run a maraton? Have you ever checked how long is the official maraton distance? Do you know how much that even takes in time? I'll just let you do some research,because you clearly are as detached of reality as these parents.
D- I am tough enough. Check my profile. I ran competitive mid distance- 5, 10, 20k, half marathons for my high school, the USAF, and Indiana State. After decades of mid distance training and winning, I attempted a full marathon. It almost killed me- my half time was competitive, my finish was over an hour out from those I beat at half time. And I felt like death was riding me, I was weeping. No six year old could legitimately complete a full marathon- not even the freaking Spartans expected this of their murderous kids. This is either false or heinous abuse.
I've been a long distance runner since I was in middle school I'm 50 now. I would never make my daughter run a 26 mile marathon wo proper training until she was in her late teens and that's w training and if she really loved it. The people defending them in the comments on the post sounded weird to compared to the comments from the people saying it was abuse. They were talking about the apocalypse and kids not getting enough exercise bc of computers that has absolutely no bearing on a 6 yr old wo the muscles yet to run that distance. People that witnessed this should've called cps that's what they are there for. I'm sure it was a horrible sight to see. Ugh social media has enabled the sadistic narcissists thrive.
Ok, ok....the kid can make a choice if he wanted to run the marathon.....AND WITHOUT A DOUBT..if he WANTED to stop because it HURTS/he CANT go on than if these parents are claiming to be good parents....they wouldve stopped the race IMMEDIATLY....
Calling a government agency in because something doesn't 'feel' right is exactly why these agencies exist. People see inappropriate treatment and report it. Then, it's up to the professionals to assess whether there is a problem or not. This is what happened. Yet, this couple seem to think that they are in some way above that level of scrutiny. If you are a good parent, or even an average one, then you have nothing to worry about. Screeching 'misuse of the system' because it affects you just makes it worse. You made a bad choice. Live with it and learn from it. But whatever you do, please keep it to yourselves in future. Then there wouldn't be a problem, would there? Attention-seekers do my head in.
Exactly!
The system *is* often misused. I've seen it more than once myself. That being said, these "parents" are @ssholes.
People see what they *consider* inappropriate treatment. Not always inappropriate. That's why CPS is supposed to do~~sort the BS from the truth.
That line seemed especially odd and out of touch to me, since, as you said, that is the purpose of those agencies!
I see you've never had a visit from cps. It's not usually simple and poor, single parents, or struggling families are often targeted by those who "feel something is wrong". Some of the things they will require to prove you're not abusive often causes more harm than good. I get it, it's a blurry line between reporting abuse and harassing parents who chose to act differently than you think you would have. But it's not "no big deal" if there isn't abuse because on that system you are guilty until proven innocent.
As someone who's been under CPS scrutiny, it really can be nerve-wracking and intrusive, just to name a few. It can go either way. The system helps some, and hinders others. That line can be razor-thin. These family vloggers, a lot of them are really pushing that envelope for the sake of likes/upvotes. Short of taking kids away, however, sometimes good can still come out of it - if you luck out with the right caseworker, then you may be given access to services and support you might never have known about before. That's how it was with us, at least.
Actually that isn't what that agency is for and this is an abuse of an already overwhelmed and ineffective system. It's not about your "feelings" it's about reporting actual abuse. Does this kid have bruises, does he look malnourished, are his parents screaming at him or doing anything else emotional inappropriate to their children, do you see or hear someone grooming a child for sexual abuse, is the child acting out inappropriate scenes with toys or telling stories/memories that are threatening to him/her or abusive in nature, is the child dirty or sick all the time, do they have lots of broken bones or trips to the hosptial?? If the answer is no to all of these question then you have NO RIGHT to say a child is being abused. A 26 mile marthon is not life threatening to a child. Our ancestors were nomadic in nature roaming miles on foot every day. Look at humans in Africa that are still nomadic today and continue to roam with their herd miles and miles everyday and survive.
This comment has been deleted.
U know wht i wanna know....HOW IS IT THE CPS ARRIVES EVERY WHERE THEIR NOT WANTED AND ARE !!!NEVER!!! IN THE PLACE THEY ARE
People who are abusing their kids rarely want CPS there. That's not how this works.
True but others still will call and not get help, my mom does meth and weed, is mentally and emotionally abusive and has assault on her record and I told the cops worker how scared I was that she was gonna hurt me badly one day cause she almost hit my head with a hammer and slapped the top of my head hard 3 times and then bragged about it happy as she could be, and my case got screened so no display name is still right they never are where they are needed it seems like
You mean just like Karens do when they call the cops on someone of color because something doesn't 'feel' right to them. Your logic is flawed. You are right about the social media thing though.
A teacher would have to for that reason
If the people have to make up lies just to get CP interested, those people are the attention-sellers.
I wonder if the parents would have made their child do this in the absence of social media. I have my doubts.
That was my first thought!
Oh but you know there are helping him later in life by giving him exposure. (Do you do /s to show something is sarcasm?)
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
They didn’t make him do it tho. If they’re a running family, I guarantee that’s what they do for “fun.” And the kid wanted to do it. Remember there are people who think running upwards of 100+ is fun. Guess what they do to bond with their kids??? They run! My guess is that he isn’t the first 6th to do this. He’s the first 6yo to go viral over it.
@Jill McElroy - You think them bribing him through milestones during the marathon is not making him do it? Sure, he *may* have the autonomy to say "no", but what child wouldn't want to please their parent(s) given the opportunity?
I must agree with those who disagree with these parents. A 6 year old does not have any clue of how hard is to run 26 miles. And really..bribing one with pringles? That's all you can do? Even for a grown up is hard, mostly without any training, to run that long...hell, I get exhausted just rushing to the toilet, are you crazy?? This whole story and the way they are trying to cover their asses, sounds a lot to me like the parents who send their kids to beauty peagents. Their action is not less of a child abuse if they try to highlight how other kids are "really" abused.... seemingly good actions can also be abuse!
Running a marathon without a proper training plan and a full understanding of the challenge is bloody reckless even if you're an adult. For anyone under about 16-18 it's simply downright dangerous. Absolutely reckless parenting, and I say that as someone who's a keen runner and cyclist and comes from a family of keen competitive runners.
I don't know the whole story, but what if there was training and the kids regularly ran long distances with the family. The response from the parents certainly made it sound that way.
This isn't just a long distance, this is extreme distance for a 6 years old.
Sure, bet you wait 5 min to get a parking spot close to the entrance of a store.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So the fact that their website show the family doing running and other excercise together doesn't tell you that the kid actually did have training, and quite likely did know how far it was? Bribing a kid with Pringles would not be enough to keep him running if they were in such a bad state as you're talking about.
Do you even comprehend the reality of how hard it is for a grownup to run a maraton? Have you ever checked how long is the official maraton distance? Do you know how much that even takes in time? I'll just let you do some research,because you clearly are as detached of reality as these parents.
D- I am tough enough. Check my profile. I ran competitive mid distance- 5, 10, 20k, half marathons for my high school, the USAF, and Indiana State. After decades of mid distance training and winning, I attempted a full marathon. It almost killed me- my half time was competitive, my finish was over an hour out from those I beat at half time. And I felt like death was riding me, I was weeping. No six year old could legitimately complete a full marathon- not even the freaking Spartans expected this of their murderous kids. This is either false or heinous abuse.
I've been a long distance runner since I was in middle school I'm 50 now. I would never make my daughter run a 26 mile marathon wo proper training until she was in her late teens and that's w training and if she really loved it. The people defending them in the comments on the post sounded weird to compared to the comments from the people saying it was abuse. They were talking about the apocalypse and kids not getting enough exercise bc of computers that has absolutely no bearing on a 6 yr old wo the muscles yet to run that distance. People that witnessed this should've called cps that's what they are there for. I'm sure it was a horrible sight to see. Ugh social media has enabled the sadistic narcissists thrive.
Ok, ok....the kid can make a choice if he wanted to run the marathon.....AND WITHOUT A DOUBT..if he WANTED to stop because it HURTS/he CANT go on than if these parents are claiming to be good parents....they wouldve stopped the race IMMEDIATLY....