Vivobarefoot and Tip
Top Shoes, the leading independent family
footwear store in New York City, will sponsor the largest-ever official barefoot and
minimalist shoe run in New York City. The race will take place on Sunday, Oct. 10th, 2010 on
Governors Island, NYC at 8:30 a.m.

The first-of-its-kind event, entitled Barefoot Runners NYC, also includes “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 in a statement, “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.”

The organizers noted that 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 one of the first independent retailers to stock Vivobarefoot, and the first store in New York City to carry Vibram FiveFingers, 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.

Notable Attendees

  • Daniel Lieberman, Harvard Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology and barefoot running researcher
  • Barefoot Ted, larger-than-life barefoot runner from the best-seller, Born to Run
  • Erwan Le Corre, founder of MovNat and 20-year barefoot running veteran
  • Jason Robillard, barefoot ultra-marathoner and author of The Barefoot Running Book
  • Daniel Howell, professor of anatomy and author of The Barefoot Book: 50 Great Reasons to Kick Off Your Shoes
  • John Durant, founder of Barefoot Runners NYC