t’s been a trend in the past few years for some runners to practice their sport without the benefit of expensive running shoes/trainers. Instead they go barefoot.
Some have decided that they shouldn’t stop when winter comes. To be honest, it’s certainly not just a Canadian thing, but we do have the winters for it.
The winter barefoot runners are few in number, not everyone thinks it’s a good idea to run several kilometers barefoot in say. -10C temperatures, but proponents think it’s great.
Grant Curle, 37, of Toronto told a reporter from Star newspaper, “The snow under your feet feels fantastic. It’s like constantly stepping onto a surface that perfectly forms to your foot. It’s perfect.”
Another Ontario-based runner, Rod Begg who lives the nation’s capital Ottawa says “We’re a fringe of a fringe”.He adds, ”Some say we’re crazy”
Begg is man behind the special “Winter Challenge” website. Barefoot runners can register their distances and the temperature in a kind of friendly international measurement, as long as the temperature is 5 degrees C or below.
He says the idea came after he took up barefoot running in 2010. During Canada’s winter he saw people posting their results online from places like Florida and California, and asked himself why he stopped running just because of the cold. So he set up his website for the brave soles (sic) who run in freezing or below freezing temperatures.
While many barefoot winter runners talk about heightened senses,and other health improvements, doctors aren’t convinced and warn of the potential for frostbite.
However, for Bob Nichol, a barefoot runner from Winnipeg Manitoba, the biggest concern is from salt put on sidewalks and roads in Canada to melt ice and prevent accidents. He says it’s used to tenderize meat so it can’t be good for bare feet. He tries to stay away from roads.
Nichol, 42, holds the Winter Challenge record for the coldest run at minus 32 C. He hopes to beat that by at least a degree this winter and push his distance too.
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