Navi Mumbai Barefoot Half Marathon - 2011

Interesting.

If it really is a barefoot race, make sure you clearly define that because a lot of people think that barefoot means running in shoes with toes on them.

How does a race survive without a shoe sponsor?

Was the course certified?

The lead guys in the video did not look like they were running a 1:10 HM pace.

Why did we not believe you?

1) No official results

2) No course certification

3) Pace of winner in official race video looked very slow

4) Scant prior race results of lead runner

There are 3 categories:

1. Totally Barefoot: Runners will be allowed to put band-aid plaster around toes (Expected 1000+ runners).

2. Minimalist: Running in shoes like Vibram FF, Merrel, etc.

3. Running Shoes: Regular running shoes like Reebok, NIKE allowed.

Each one is a HM on the same course (AIMS certified: see

http://aimsworldrunning.org/Calendar.htm

6th November), with different start times.

There are various survival mechanisms. We can survive only on rice / wheat with lentils, and still have strong muscles to complete a HM in 1:10:10.

Similarly, shoes companies are not the only sponsor of races in India.

The course wasn't certified last year. This year, it is (see our website

www.BarefootRunnersIndia.org

) Also check in AIMS calendar for November events.

And if the video looked like he ran a 1:10:10 HM, you will say it has been doctored.

If still in doubt, check with Barefoot Ted when he returns home. Ted for one, never doubted. Neither did Barefoot Ken. Nor the Guinness guys, who gave us a World Record citation for the "Largest Barefoot Race"

1) No defence on this one. We will do it this year.

2) Answered elsewhere.

3) Answered.

4) Wow, this begs the question. It was the world's first ever Barefoot HM, isn't it? What prior race results do you expect? And I for one don't give a damn what the guy had done wearing shoes. If last year's lead runner wins again, you will have one year history this year. Or else, none. Take it or leave it.

Anand, I guess it's too late but I don't think you should allow any runners in shoes. Not if you're going to call it a barefoot half-marathon. Perhaps the masses of shoe people are what bring in the money? Watch out or in a few years your "barefoot half-marathon" will be nothing but a bunch of fat Americans on vacation wearing toe shoes.

I have certainly worried on this point also. But to make the race more popular, I need some mass support now. That comes with enthusiastic amateurs. Once I get a critical mass of barefoot runners (maybe, 3000), we will remove the shod categories. In fact we are on a mass barefoot recruiting campaign. I think the strategy should work

I am an Indian -American. I run barefoot. But I refuse to race farther than a mile.

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