6-year-old Finishes Half Marathon, Sets World Record

Keelan Glass is a rock star
Keelan Glass is a rock star

While many first-graders are perfecting their skipping or training for improved hopscotch performance, 6-year-old Keelan Glass has bigger goals in mind.

Glass entered the Showdown Half Marathon in Fairview, Texas, last Saturday; she ended up not only finishing the 13.1-mile race, but setting a national age-group record with a time of 2:46:31.

According to the Association of Road Racing Statisticians, she also became the youngest person to complete a half marathon.

Although Glass' parents, both triathletes, consulted with an orthopedist before allowing her to compete, her accomplishment has become a hot topic in the running community. While some are lauding her endeavor, others are expressing concern over the long-term effects of someone competing at such a young age.

Dallas-area pediatrician William Moore told the The Dallas Morning News, "I think they're asking for trouble. There's a lot of potential for bad things and not a lot of potential for exceptionally good things to happen."

Nonetheless, Glass hopes to run a full marathon by the time she's 10.

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