Tag: la ruta

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Can you run long distance in sandals? You bet!

There’s nothing I find funnier than when I’m running in my Xero Shoes sandals and someone asks, “Can you run in those?”

Uh… you’re WATCHING me run in them!

Well, when I tell non-runners that some people run 100k ultramarathons in huaraches, they’re incredulous.

Now I don’t need to explain anything, I can just show this video of the La Ruta Run, a 50k and 100k race that took place in Costa Rica. Arguably, La Ruta is the hardest trail ultramarathon in the world.

Check it out… but be careful. This video will make you want to run La Ruta!

Oh, and look at the 4:18 -ish mark for Jonathan Sinclair and Melissa Gosse running La Ruta in their Xero Shoes! Hear them talk about running La Ruta here.

And check out the women running in their cheap plastic sandals!

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Running with the Tarahumara in Costa Rica

Jon-and-Mel-at-La-RutaWant to run with the Tarahumara (the Mexican tribe featured in Chris McDougall’s bestseller, Born to Run)?

Well, if you can’t make it to the Copper Canyon, or anywhere else for that matter, here’s the next best thing.

Ultra runners Jonathan Sinclair and Melissa Gosse went to Costa Rica for La Ruta 100k, arguably the hardest trail ultramarathon in the world.

About a dozen Tarahumara runners were there and Jon and Mel got to spend the better part of a week hanging out and running with them — as well as swapping huaraches and Xero Shoes, eating, drinking, and much more.

They’ll be sharing pictures and stories as well as giving great tips about barefoot running, minimalist running, ultramarathon training, and anything you can think to ask about.

You can also click on this link to watch live video chat we had with them a few months ago.

jonandmelissa-at-la-ruta-ultramarathon melissa-tarahumara

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Xero Shoes go to Costa Rica for La Ruta Run

Jonathan Sinclair and Melissa Gosse left the cold weather in Edmonton, Alberta and jetted to Costa Rica for the La Ruta Run, perhaps the hardest ultramarathon in the world.

We’ll have a full report about their trip and the race in about 48 hours. But until then, I wanted to share this quick story they told me.

Knowing that they’d be running with some Tarahumara runners, I gave them some extra Sensori Venture Xero Shoes to bring on their trip. They sent the photos, below, and report (from their phone):

We gave away all the Ventures you sent us down with. One to Maria (Tarahumara female who hasn’t taken hers off since I put them on her feet), the “presidents” of Chihuahua, Mexico (two men in this picture), Martin (spelling? “Head/leader” of the Chihuahua Tarahumara tribe…the one in this pic with us) and tonight, two local Costa Rican natives who will be running la Ruta with us on Saturday!!! Everyone is LOVING the Xeros. The presidents of the Tarahumara want to talk to you about getting some more for the Tarahumara back home to wear..how cool is that?!

The answer? VERY cool!

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We’ve proudly supported the Tarahumara through the Tarahumara Children’s Hospital Fund… but I love the idea of getting more Xeros onto runners’ feet! Stay tuned.