'It's a Shore Thing' Trail Race

Trail Runner magazine and Columbia Sportswear teamed up to put on a benefit race for GECKO, a non-profit organization geared to 'Giving Every Child Knowledge of the Outdoors,' at this year's summer Outdoor Retailer open air demo. 'It's a Shore Thing' was 'shore' to hook participants up with a little schwag (no, not low grade marijuanna... promotional products). Each registrant received a technical Columbia shirt, a Mobex backpack, a Nathan water bottle, and a draw prize or prizes, not to mention other goodies stuffed into the pack. Apart from the cool stuff, the run was fun and a little challenging with a steep hill thrown into the 3 mile course just as the heat started cranking up.

I noted a half dozen runners shod with FiveFingers. One of them, Max of barefootinc.com.au, shared that he had been wearing FiveFingers exclusively for a few years. Barefoot Inc. has been the sole distributor for Australia, New Zealand, and British Caledonia since 2007. Despite the jet lag, I had no chance of catching this Aussie once he took off in his Treks. I did manage an 8th place, and I had a great time.