Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

8-Year-Old Marathoner's Father Denies Abuse

Chinese girl ran 2,212 miles to honor Olympics

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 29, 2007 3:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – The father of the Chinese girl who ran more than 2,000 miles in honor of the Beijing Olympics is being accused of child abuse. Experts say her grueling schedule--more than 40 miles a day--was dangerous even for an adult, but the girl's father is defiant. "She is always healthy around me and never said her legs hurt," he told Reuters today.

Huimin awoke each day at 2:30am to train for the run. Her father followed her all the way on a motorized bike, saying that she only rode with him twice--once when a road was too steep and once when she was chased by a pack of wild dogs. "Running makes me happy," she says.

Eight-Year-Old Child Runs Across China.
Eight-Year-Old Child Runs Across China.   (KRT Photos)
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Undergoing a training...
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for...   (Associated Press)
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Undergoing a training...
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for...   (Associated Press)
Zhang Huimin, 8, sticks her tongue out as she rides on the shoulder of her brother Zhang Di, surrounded by journalists after completing her Beijing leg of a 3,558 km, 55 days run across China to show her support for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Tuesday,...
Zhang Huimin, 8, sticks her tongue out as she rides on the shoulder of her brother Zhang Di, surrounded by journalists after completing her Beijing leg of a 3,558 km, 55 days run across China to show...   (Associated Press)
8 year old Zhang Huimin clings to her brother Zhang Di, as journalists and security personnel gather around her after she runs into Tiananmen Square to complete her Beijing leg of a 3,558 km, 55 days run across China to show her support for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games...
8 year old Zhang Huimin clings to her brother Zhang Di, as journalists and security personnel gather around her after she runs into Tiananmen Square to complete her Beijing leg of a 3,558 km, 55 days...   (Associated Press)
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Undergoing a training...
Eight- year-old Zhang Huimin runs next to her father Zhang Jianmin, trailed by journalists to complete her Beijing leg of a 3558 kilometer (2211 miles), 55 day run across China to show her support for...   (Associated Press)
Eight-Year-Old Child Runs Across China.
Eight-Year-Old Child Runs Across China.   (KRT Photos)
The father of Zhang Huimin, an eight-year-old Chinese girl who ran 2,212 miles to Beijing to celebrate the 2008 Olympics, has denied accusations of child abuse.
The father of Zhang Huimin, an eight-year-old Chinese girl who ran 2,212 miles to Beijing to celebrate the 2008 Olympics, has denied accusations of child abuse.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Move Over Tiger Mom, It's 'Wolf Dad'

Kids to Cops: Mom Tried to Kill Us in Car Crash

Cops: Mom Showed Us Pic... of Tot Duct-Taped to Chair

Mom Busted After Dumping Newborn in Stadium Toilet

Son Sues Mom for Not Stopping Dad's Beatings


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne