Barefoot Runners NYC (NYCBR) has today announced that registration is open for the first annual New York City Barefoot Run. Sponsored by Vivobarefoot, the original barefoot shoe, and Tip Top Shoes, the leading independent family footwear store in New York City, the largest-ever official barefoot and minimalist shoe run will take place Sunday, October 10th, 2010 on Governors Island, NYC at 8:30am.

The first-of-its-kind event is more than just a run – it is a weekend of educational, social, and athletic happenings to support the growing recognition that going barefoot, or as close to it as possible, is the healthiest way to be.

Event founder John Durant said, “This grassroots movement is part of a larger trend that is seeing people edging toward a more natural way of life. Vivobarefoot supports education on the benefits of barefoot and believes in building community, which is why they saw the promise in this new event.”

This year, both the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Harvard University released studies to support that barefoot running encourages a forefoot or mid-foot strike that reduces impact with the ground and is more efficient. Increasing numbers of runners are trying for themselves by “freeing their feet” of traditional running shoes (and conventional wisdom).

Galahad Clark, owner of Terra Plana and creator of Vivobarefoot, states, “This is a growing community of people who are questioning conventions and are passionate about rediscovering the right way to run. We are proud to support a weekend of events based around education and building the movement.”

Lester Wasserman, co-owner of Tip Top Shoes, comments, “Tip Top Shoes was the first store in New York City to carry minimalist shoes, which is why we want to be the first to support this distinctive event in its inaugural year.”

The format of the run, “Run Your Distance,” is completely unique relative to traditional “fixed distance” run formats. Barefoot, minimalist and even shod runners are invited to start together and run 2.1 mile loops around Governors Island. Aligned with healthy running principles, each runner will be responsible for listening to their body and feet and deciding when to stop. There is no emphasis on required distance or time; all participants are simply required to practice healthy, safe, and fun running.

In addition to the run, weekend events include a Q&A with Dr. Dan Lieberman, Harvard Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology and leading barefoot running researcher, along with other notable guest speakers in the minimalist running movement. For full details visit www.nycbarefootrun.com or contact Maggie Durant.

Learn the skill of barefoot walking and running at “The Barefoot Experience” Terra Plana, 36 Kings Road, London SW3.

Spearheaded by new research and the international bestseller “Born to Run” the ‘barefoot movement’ is gathering pace.  London’s first Barefoot Experience is dedicated to helping people rediscover natural movement, and better health, from the feet up.

In January 2010 Professor Dan Lieberman of Harvard University released his seminal research on the benefits of barefoot and the dangers of normal padded running shoes (Nature Magazine, “Tread Softly”) adding to a number of other scientific studies showing how underfoot shoe technologies are doing more harm than good.

Terra Plana are creators of Vivobarefoot, the original barefoot shoe, with a patented ultra thin puncture resistant sole that gives all the benefits of being barefoot with protection.

Now Terra Plana are proud to announce our first public workshops, to learn the key to injury free barefoot running & walking. These sessions are available on a “first come, first served” basis and are free of charge.

Classes last for 1.5 hours, 6 places are available at each session; participants will be filmed on the instore treadmill (allowing each person to see improvements in technique).

Walking classes are available on Monday August 16^th & Wednesday August 18^th.

Running classes are available on Wednesday August 25^th & Saturday August 28^th.

Classes will run at the following times on each day: 10 – 11.30am, 11.30 – 1.00pm, 2 – 3.30pm, 3.30 – 5.00pm, 5.00 – 6.30pm.

Classes will be conducted by Tony Riddle. Tony is a highly respected international running coach and numbers premier league footballers amongst his clients. Tony was trained by and works closely with, leading barefoot running expert, Lee Saxby; he is a qualified POSE level 2 instructor.

Come and enjoy the “Barefoot Experience”, kick off your shoes, release your feet, stimulate your soles and rediscover the joy of natural movement…

Where: 36 Kings Road, London SW3 / nearest tube: Sloane Square

For bookings please call: 0207 581 5764. Limited places available.

Coverage of events at Terra Plana's Barefoot Experience at 36 King's Road, on the Run 24/7 website.

Click to read the original article:

Vivobarefoot Evo featured in an article comparing barefoot running shoes in the August issue of 220 Triathlon.

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We organised a day of workshops with Barefoot Running Expert Lee Saxby and invited several key journalists to learn the skill of Barefoot running, GQ wrote about them on their blog – interesting stuff.

Click on the images to read the original articles.

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Have a watch of this great video review of the Vivobarefoot Evo by Mizz Fit

Review of The Evo Barefoot Running Shoe by Terra Plana

Check out this Terra Plana Evo review by Tina Dubois from Living Barefoot.

 Here's the summary from review:

"Terra Plana has made another excellent product in the Vivo Barefoot Evo. It is a phenomenal all-purpose shoe as well as an amazing running shoe. It is extremely comfortable with or without socks and form fits to your feet well because of the laces. The barefoot feel is outstanding and, while running, definitely promotes a midfoot strike. It has incredible breathability because of the choice to use a mesh material surrounded by a TPU cage, allowing even the hottest feet cooling air flow. And, of course, the quality of the materials and manufacturing is superb. Although the price may put some people off from buying them, it is comparable to many running-specific shoes and should last much longer than their usually prescribed 500 miles. The Evo is a stellar minimalist shoe and the fact that they were specifically designed for running, which they also feel fantastic for, makes them even better." 

Read the full article on the Living Barefoot website.