[May 5, 2013] Slovenia International Barefoot Running Day (Kranj)

Slovenia International Barefoot Running Day

BRS Chapter Name or Other Entity: BRS Slovenia
Contact Name, BRS Screen Name: Marko Roblek, Rollback
Contact Email: info@bositek.si
Country or U.S. State: Slovenia
City/Township: Kranj
Meeting Point: Partizanska 37, in front of olympic swimming pool
Other Event Name & URL, if applicable: 3. Slovenski Bosi Tek - 3rd Slovenian Barefoot Run - http://bositek.si/?p=741
Meeting Time: 10:00 a.m.
Distance: 2,5km, 5km, 7,5km, 10km
Other Information: See these links for more info:

http://bositek.si/?p=741

http://bositek.si/?p=595

http://bositek.si/?p=571

https://www.facebook.com/events/612862242063660

 

It was awesome!

One photo before the start, where more than 200 runners waving hands

And report from one of our runners Alja: http://runjourney.tumblr.com/post/49715670154/international-barefoot-running-day-2013-in-kranj


foto: Leon Grenko
Detailed report will follow soon...

 

There was one thing I didn't care about this year: the weather. We had sunny and warm in 2011 and rain and showers in 2012, but it seemed that runners weren't bothered. They actually enjoyed it, both times! But I have one concern to think about: more than 200 participants who expected something special. How we could delivered that?

Questions aside; we started working as usual few days before, aranging everything. We had 220 t-shirts, several hundred bottles of water and snacks to deliver. We have to set the place for arrivals, putting together tables, presentation desks, boxes for used shoes and so on. This year we even get some sponsors and their banners had to be placed on the best spots. Eventually Sunday morning arrived. I wasn't nervous, maybe just a little, expecting many of old friends and many more new, fresh and eager barefooters.

But everything worked out even better I expected, with my awesome team to be in charge of all things. I concentrated to my barefoot clinic, educating new runners with basics and give old veterans some new tips and tricks. I get carried away often in my talks, especially when barefoot running is the main topic. I get in the zone and I could talk for hours. But here was schedule to be followed and I tried to be as concise as possible. I enjoyed it, oh so much.

We send our youngest to their 100m route and we all cheered. Group photoshooting is a must; but we have big problem get everybody in the picture. Next year we definitely have to plan a photograph with heavy professional gear

Our barefoot IBRD run started sharply at 11 a.m. Some much emotions and great energy, wow! Some were running for the first that shoeless but nobody complains, even with some blisters and bruises at the finish line. We had 1-4 laps of 2,5km loop course and fastest 10k runner manage to finish in impressive 39 minutes! I walked in the crowd after the run and just shaking hands. Barefooters are crazy and funny bunch and I could plan a whole year of weekends to visit all of them for some barefoot running and some beers

We are still hot and attractive for our local and national media: all big TV stations send crews to shoot, taking interviews. Articles were published in all major newspapers, radio stations called to broadcast live. We were riding the wave, loving it. I got the same question that TJ has asked me sometime ago: How come you have so many runners coming to this unorthodox running event? Well, answer is pretty simple: passion! I wandered in barefoot running accidentally but found myself in love soon. And love is getting stronger And I thing this is contagious: if you do what you preach and if there is something special about it, it soon attract others. I assure you: we didn't say our last word

Some numbers about our Slovenia Barefoot IBRD run:
- about 200+ runners, about 20 kids
- youngest participant was 18 months, oldest 82 years
- we ran 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10k, with most participants at shortest and longest distance
- Our whole team was 10 people (handing out tshirts, drinks, selling shoes, making huaraches, securing the course, soundmastering, speaking...)
- we had 2 barefoot guests from our neighbourhood country Croatia
- we gathered 200 pairs of old shoes for charity
- we drank about 300 beers

You can find three galleries of photos here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.523506284377901.1073741828.121688264559707&type=3
https://picasaweb.google.com/113076862803706759507/3SlovenskiBosiTek#
https://picasaweb.google.com/113076862803706759507/3SlovenskiBosiTek2Del

Media coverage is all here: http://bositek.si/?p=804

Happy barefooting all - I hope you enjoyed your IBRD like we had


Foto: Igor, Mitja, Leon

 

Thanks TJ!

We probably have to continue with our work