Meet The 12-Year-Old Who Set Two World Records This Summer

A 12-year-old girl had two amazing accomplishments in June 2016 and raised the bar for 'tweens' in long-distance running. At the New Balance High School Nationals, Grace Ping finished second in the girls’ 5,000 meters in 16:44.80. Her time was only 20 seconds slower than 19-year-old Weini Kelati, the reigning Foot Locker Cross Country champion. Ping's 16:44.80 in the 5,000 meters established a new world record for 12-year-olds.

The next day, she ran the two mile in 10:28.66, smashing a record she already held. She also ran about five seconds faster than the record for 13-year-olds, held by Jordan Hasay -- who is now a professional runner. Ping told Runner's World magazine, "Running’s not an easy sport. It’s a lot of fun to me and I really like it, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not hard."

Ping hopes to become a professional runner and compete in the Olympic Games. I think she's well on her way to doing just that!

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past