Merrell Mud Run Series Barefoot Division

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:-D
 
Check out the new ad that

Check out the new ad that should be appearing momentarily on the right side bar. Spartan Race is offering Barefoot Runners Society members (and anyone who uses the promo code BRS) $10 off when they register for one of their extreme mud, fire, fun running events. THAT'S RIGHT! Barefoot Runners are Welcome! They are even considering a Barefoot Runner Division. Stay tuned. Be sure to use the promo code BRS to get your ten bucks off! Check out their website and some extreme footage at www.SpartanRace.com.

BTW, Mrs. Zap created this awesome ad design for them. She is very creative and talented, so if you have any artwork you need done for your business or even your own personal blog or Facebook page, please consider Zap first. http://www.kmcreative.com/

 
Thanks for the plug, TJ!

Thanks for the plug, TJ! ;) Glad it works for you.
 
So I tossed around my

So I tossed around my "insider" status... only to find out I'm not much of an insider.
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Anyway, it appears as though the race organizers deemed the course 'not barefoot-friendly" and don't allow it because of perceived liability. In this era of litiginous idiots, that's understandable. Of course, that's the exact same kind of BS "barefoot runners can't handle this" stuff we always face. If you don't run barefoot, you have no idea what barefoot runners are capable of.

Merrell is just one of the sponsors and doesn't appear to have the pull to convince the race organizers to allow true barefootedness. Merrell doesn't need convincing, the race directors do.

I don't want to change the name of the division, I want them to allow bare feet in the race, damn it!
 
Thanks for trying Jason.

Thanks for trying Jason. Maybe in the future they'll offer a "BF Injury Waiver" to the BF participants. Kinda like the "Death Waiver" in the Tough Mudder series. Ha! We promise not to sue you for our stupidity kind of thing. Although most of us are smart enough to know how much abuse our feet can handle. Maybe it just needs a little more time before BF is totally accepted and "expected" at most races.
 
LOL ok I totally did not see

LOL ok I totally did not see your post before I posted on fb LOL. I was asking them the same thing. I am going to enter in the barefoot division oh .....I mean the minimalist SHOE division. But I will be wearing VFFs not merrills. Wait ~ what is the difference then ~ does everyone go off at the same time?
 
Kirsten - everyone is timed,

Kirsten - everyone is timed, however this is a special division for those people who run in minimal shoes which means there will be separate awards given out, I believe. The race last year in Folsom was on single track trail so their are wave times for start. I think we waited about 30 minutes at the starting line before we were able to start the race.
 
Hey all! Em here with

Hey all! Em here with Merrell. We listened to you all, chatted with Down + Dirty and moving forward the barefoot division can be run truly barefoot or in minimal shoes. Your choice! Thanks for sharing your honest opinions and know we are listening. Let me know if you have any questions.
 
EXCELLENT!  I had "heard"

EXCELLENT! I had "heard" good news was on the horizon. Thank you so much EM and Jason!
 
Question, Em.  Will you all

Question, Em. Will you all be changing your event site to let people know that barefoot runners are also welcome along with the minimalist runners? The old page hasn't been updated: http://www.downanddirtymudrun.com/news.cfm?news_id=435

Thanks bunches!
 
TJ - yes the language on the

TJ - yes the language on the event site will be updated soon. I'll post here when it is. Thanks again!
 
Very cool on the website

Very cool on the website change.

I hope to take part in one soon, or after my surgery. I'm trying to convince my friend to join me! She's chicken!
 
I'm going to barefoot test

I'm going to barefoot test run the course for the Atlanta race to see how tough it is...I ran a Muddy Buddy bike/run race at the same venue last year wasn't too rough at all for Vibrams...
 
Let us know how it goes,

Let us know how it goes, Mokie. Will you spray it down with a hose first? Ha!
 
  Today I did my 3rd run at

Today I did my 3rd run at the horse park and followed the Atlanta Merrell D&D race course fully for the first time barefoot. This is about as easy of a course as you could hope to find around here...only a few rocky/gravel sections that are 20-40 feet each. There are a handful of hills that do slow you down but a lot of flat areas and much grassy parts too. There is a serious lack of any single track type trails so I would rate this a good beginner type/fast course. It was about 5.3 miles on my Garmin should be 5.7 miles but the Garmin maybe short...they often are on trail runs. The only concern that I can think of would be if the Fall leaves covered the rocky parts up too much could cause some extra slowness.

TJ - you should run this course before the race...I think you would like it.
 
Maybe you and I could meet

Maybe you and I could meet over there for a run sometime before the race. My running club's annual 15K/5K is on the 15th, the D&D is on the 16th. Do you think I could do them both, maybe if I choose the 5K on the 15th?
 
TJ - they completely changed

TJ - they completely changed the course on the Merrell website for the Atlanta race, its now on the other side of the Horse park. I will get over there this Thurs or Fri and run this new course barefoot and see what its like...hopefully there wont be alot of gravel. They also show 11 obstacles on the 10k course...including 2 mud pits!!