Nine-Year-Old Sets Half-Marathon Record

MSgt (Join to see) Don't. One thing I have learned in my years of distance running is there is always someone much better than me. I have ran with some overweight people that bury me- I am more of the thinking that we need to just move. This kid is a great example of setting your mind to something- and doing exactly that.

The only worry is younger runners need to be aware of developing problems from over training.

LTC Greg Henning - My thoughts- but he had a doc clear him. Many kids develop faster- I would be monitoring his training and mileage close. Heck- I monitor my own and I have averaged over 1200 miles a year for over 10 years. I can usually tie injuries to not the output, but the lack of proper and quality runs.

Maj Marty Hogan We had a similar situation training for our 100K race this past October. A family had their young son running 25 miles on our training runs in the heat over some pretty rough terrain. He was really suffering after about half way through. You need a solid training base with some running experience to avoid problems.

LTC Greg Henning - The experience part is as important as the training. You have to know the difference between pain and soreness. Most distance runners don't because we shut that part off in our minds thinking tomorrow's run will be better or less painful. Wen my son ran with me I limited him to a 5K and his longest was a 7k. This was several years ago- but he was 12 and did not have the half in mind.