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Subscribe to RSSAs she listened to her mother chanting her name Sunday night, 11-year-old Wakana Ueda finally crossed the finish line at the Honolulu Marathon, 14 hours, 13 minutes and 12 seconds after she started.
Watch the full report from NBC station KHNL of Honolulu:
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I coached high school cross country in the 80's, 90's, and 00's. If I knew of anyone who was encouraging an 11 years-old to run a marathon I think I'd report him/her to Social Services. I know you must be at least 16 to run in the Maryland marathon. I'm surprised it was allowed. There may be life-long injuries to knees, Achilles tendons, ankle bones, feet, etc. from putting a young child through such torture. I've run marathons and know from from where I'm speaking! Imagine another story in the press where someone enticed a blind 11 year-old child to travel 26 miles on foot without it being part of an organized race. The whole country would be screaming for prison for the adults who did that - and rightfully so!
I do most definately see your point (I was a runner and Bball player up until I was 16 and found out I had loose ligaments<VERY painfull constantly, causing lifelong problems with my knees), although, in this case I am wondering if maybe this child did this to show herself she could? Her parents may have let her do it to build up self esteem. Not making it right, though I do see the other side.
I agree she shouldn't be allowed to run it but she didn't. She did a mile every 33 minutes. Walking a marathon isn't the same as running one.
First of all, it was one race. Second, she could have dropped out at any point. There didn't seem to be anyone there holding a gun to her head. Why would you deny her such pride and accomplishment? It doesn't seem that she is going to make a career out of it, so take a chill lozenge. If you have such a problem with this then you must boycott the Olympics right? Children far younger go through far more rigorous training. Call CPS on all of those parents. You have a lot of calling to do!
Tears? Really? Maybe they were just happy that it was over. 14 hours should be enough time to walk the entire perimeter of most Hawaiian Islands. If she could juggle then maybe I'd be impressed.