I was actually thinking about
I was actually thinking about this on my 8-miler tonight.
Here's what's transpired previously: I emailed the race director. She emailed me back with "if I have any more questions, please feel free, blah, blah, blah." Well I did, and so I did. I have not heard back from her since. I was going to give her a whole week, then contact her again. I also forwarded my emails to Ken Bob and asked him to stir up the pot over there.
In my email, I even was very generous in suggesting they change the name to "barefoot-shoe division," so that people who run truly barefoot would know immediately that they aren't welcome, but thinking about this tonight, they really should call it what it is: A Minimalist Runner Division or a Merrell/Vibram FiveFingers Division. They need to remove the word barefoot. But I have a feeling they will be more open to the Barefoot Shoe Division title. Do we accept that? Do we settle? I mean the oxymoron is disturbing, of course, but at the same time, the term does bring validity to barefoot running and draws more people into wanting to at least give true barefoot running a try.
I think we need to stir the pot on this one. I'm all about picking and choosing my battles, and this one is a good one.
Here is what I propose: They either allow barefoot runners to enter this division or change the name of the division. If they do not, we will wage a campaign to announce to all of the barefoot and minimalist running community that barefoot runners are not welcome in Merrell's "Barefoot Specific Division," and ask for petitions to be electronically signed asking Merrell to concede.
Here's the email chain on this. Of course, start from the bottom up:
-----Original Message-----
From: Barefoot Runners Society [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 11:23 PM
To: 'Down and Dirty'
Subject: RE: Barefoot Runner Division
Hello Krystle, Thank you for responding. Would you mind renaming your division to Merrell Barefoot Shoes Division then, so there will be no more confusion, and people who run truly barefoot will know that this is not a division for them? You're adding one little word here, one word that means a lot. It is not stated on your website that way. Your website says "Barefoot Specific Division," as in the screen shot here. And are you saying that bare feet are not only banned from this division but the entire race? If so, then it's even more important that Merrell changes the division's name.
The BRS appreciates Merrell and other companies for developing healthier alternative footwear to the "traditional" choices out there, but as far as the trails not being designed for actual bare feet, you would be surprised at what our bare feet are capable of. The human foot is not broken nor defective and is quite adaptable to most conditions. Why not let the runner decide that for themselves? Why not embrace the barefoot runner in your barefoot division? TJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Krystle [mailto:
[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Down and Dirty
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 8:24 PM
To: Barefoot Runners Society
Subject: RE: Barefoot Runner Division
Hello Tamara-
Thank you for your message. I apologize for the confusion. We have created a Merrell Barefoot Shoes division specifically for the Vibram Five Finger shoes which is stated on our website. Our trails are not designed for actual bare feet runners! Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks!
Krystle Van Deusen
MESP, Inc.
(818) 707-8866 x 31
From:Barefoot Runners Society [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 7:33 PM
To: Down and Dirty
Subject: Barefoot Runner Division
Hello,
My name is Tamara Gerken, I am the original founder of the Barefoot Runners Society, now with over 2,300 members and 78 chapter clubs worldwide. I (and many of our members) may have been interested in registering for one of your Down & Dirty Mud Runs to run in the "Barefoot Specific Division," but I understand you actually prohibit participants from running "Barefoot." How can you have a "Barefoot" Division, and not allow people to run "Barefoot?" I'm utterly confused. Why would you call it "Barefoot" then? Why not call it what it is, a "Minimalist" Division? Calling it a Barefoot Division but then not letting people run it barefoot is just going to cause a lot of people to be upset, some of them potential customers of yours. Will you seriously turn them away should they arrive to one of your events?
Tamara Gerken
Barefoot TJ
President/CEO
www.BarefootRunners.org
From your site:
Attention Racers! Interested in wearing barefoot shoes during the Merrell Down & Dirty Mud Run presented by Subaru? This year, for the first time, we are organizing a barefoot specific division, complete with special prizes for the winners. Complete the course in Merrell Barefoot shoes or Vibram Five Fingers and the first place winners will receive a certificate for Merrell Barefoot Shoes.