Race reports aren’t always the most interesting things…However Donald from Running and Rambling ran the Firetrails 50m in 8:57 whilst taking some amazing photos along the way. He also wrote about it afterwards in one of the best race reports we’ve ever read.

Oh yeah and he did it in VIVOBAREFOOT Evos.

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On Saturday, October 2, 2010, 400 children are expected to participate in Freedom’s Run, a free Kid’s Fun Run through the historic streets of Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This non-competitive event is open to all ages with children encouraged to run, walk, or stroll a fun filled mile through the scenic streets. The event, which is the first of its kind in the country, is being looked to as a model of what the National Parks can do for public health through an initiative called America’s Great Outdoors.

Freedom’s Run is part of a larger initiative to benefit Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every Child, which builds fitness trails and create “learning” gardens in schools. The first community trail and garden was completed this summer at a rural elementary school as a direct outcome of the inaugural Freedom’s Run event. Children will be running with and without shoes through the school year and families are invited to use the trail after school hours.

2010, which is the second year of the race, also marks a new partnership with Vivobarefoot Kids, a line of shoes that offer all the health benefits of being barefoot with protection. Race Director Mark Cucuzzella MD explains, “We not only want to promote natural outdoor physical activity, but we want to instill in parents the importance of letting children’s feet develop in their natural way. This of course is to spend as much time as possible barefoot and when you need to wear shoes, wear those that compliment normal foot function.”

Complimentary Vivobarefoot Kids shoes will be gifted to children on a first-come basis to complete the race in. In addition, to reinforce the overriding mission of the event, they will also be asked to take their family on a hike in each of the regions National Parks- Antietam National Battlefield, the C&O Canal, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Potomac Heritage Trail. Children will do a simple log of where they went and one thing they discovered on each hike.

Galahad Clark, owner of Terra Plana Vivobarefoot states:

“We are thrilled to be included in this event as it demonstrates not only the importance of child foot health, but get kids engaged in the outdoors. A healthy lifestyle should be fun and accessible to all kids. The race sends an important message while helping to fund the Wild and Wonderful Trails, which is making this a reality.”

About Freedom’s Run:

Freedom’s Run makes up five events for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The events explore the land in a challenging and scenic marathon connecting Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, The C&O Canal, The Potomac Heritage Trail, and Antietam National Battlefield; a half marathon through Antietam and the C&O; a 5k and 10k crossing the Potomac and running out and back on the C&O; and a free kids fun run touring historic Shepherdstown.

Time: 11:30 AM
Start/Finish: Sara Cree Hall- Shepherd University

To register online and for more information go to www.freedomsrun.org or call the Freedom’s Run Headquarters at Two Rivers Treads at 304-876-1100. For information on receiving a complimentary pair of Vivobarefoot Kids shoes see the HQ website www.trtreads.org for details.

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.

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.

Two months later, Galahad Clarks (owner of Terra Plana) wife had a baby delivered by Dr. Gowri Motha. She followed Dr. Gowri’s Gentle Birth method and had a wonderful natural birth. Galahad and Gowri hit it off and especially connected on the benefits of being barefoot and the positive health benefits of stimulating your soles!

After a reflexology session in her St. Johns Wood clinic over an ayurvedic lunch, Galahad and Gowri decided to collaborate and bring her treatments directly to the public.

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. Terra Plana are proud to work with world’s leading barefoot running expert Lee Saxby as their main advisor on barefoot movement and an in store treadmill will give people a chance to try out ‘barefoot running’, get basic pointers from the staff, and attend running clinics from time-to-time.

Dr. Gowri Motha is an obstetrician and pioneer of water births and the gentle birth method in the UK. She advocates reflexology as an excellent all round treatment that promotes general health. Dr. Gowri was the first doctor in London to introduce reflexology as the treatment of choice for mothers in her care, in 1987.

Dr. Gowri’s experience with Terra Plana has led her to conclude that walking in Vivobarefoot shoes (with ultra thin soles) stimulates the reflexology points and was quick to conclude that mothers can enhance their health as they walk in the barefoot shoes.

Dr. Gowri’s team of health practitioners include reflexologists, an ayurvedic doctor, nutritionists and general health practitioners offering treatments to help ease common conditions like back problems and digestive disorders.

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

To find out more about Dr Gowri and the Gentle Birth Method click here

Background

I received the Evo the evening of March 11. Unlike conventional running shoes, there was no need for a “break-in” period. So I began running in them the next day. Thus far, I have run in the Evo a grand total of about 50 miles: a short easy run.

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“Terra Plana has become the latest brand to join STAG as a supplier.
The company has a range of eco-friendly footwear and accessories, including VivoBarefoot and Dopie.
“After meeting with Ben and Andrew from Terra Plana, learning about the product and actually seeing the range, we were extremely impressed and look forward to see this brand flourish,” says Ricky Chandler, managing director of STAG. “All of our STAG members will receive preferential terms.” “