iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB

iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario

iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia

iRun because it�s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia

iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario

iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon

iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean, Ontario

iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba

iRun because it�s fun when it�s done – Sue Matte, Ontario

iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia

iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario

iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC

iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario

iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC

iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta

iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario

iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn�t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because otherwise I�m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec

iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON

iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

iRun so I don�t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it�s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario

iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun because I�ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly, Ontario

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec

iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta

iRun because it�s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario

iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC

iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON

iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia

iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta

iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON

iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS

iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario

iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia

iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick

iRun because it�s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun to my happy place and some days it�s very – Doreen May, Alberta

iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn�t – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON

iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx, Ontario

iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON

iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Qu�bec

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON

iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel, Calgary, AB

iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC

iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario

iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba

iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia

iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk, Calgary, AB

iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Qu�bec

iRun because I can�t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario

iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil, Lombardy, ON

iRun for health, i Run for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario

Cover photo from the current issue of iRun Magazine

Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run

July 2012

Back to Table of Contents

Barefoot shoes for kids

Encouraging natural running for kids who love to move

By Kathleen Wilker

Photos by Justin Van Leeuwen

My children love being barefoot. Whatever the season, as soon as they come inside, they take off their shoes and socks. It’s such a habit that we keep their socks in a basket by the door instead of upstairs, in their room.

If they had their way, my kids, like most kids I know, would play barefoot outside too. My children’s natural penchant for toes that can wiggle freely made me curious about barefoot choices in children’s footwear—not just for running, but in general.

My daughter learned to walk at around 14 months old. That certainly wasn’t late by any child development standards, but it wasn’t early enough to avoid ‘helpful’ advice from well-meaning grandmothers at our neighbourhood parks. “It’s those flimsy slippers she’s wearing. You should buy her a proper pair of shoes and she’ll be walking by herself in no time,” the grannies would say as my daughter and I would explore the park together, her toddling along in Robeez, me bent over holding her outstretched hands.

That was eight years ago. Long before minimalist running shoes and barefoot running went main stream. Long before Chris McDougall began sharing his message that humans are born to run and may be altering our gait with cushioned heels, supported arches and ridged shoes. And I might have listened to the grannies and forced those chubby feet into firm shoes if my daughter hadn’t had such an aversion to socks.

Turns out Robeez allowed my daughter’s feet to begin maturing by themselves, without rigidity or cushioning. Did you notice what Nik Wallenda was wearing to walk across Niagara Falls? Soft, elkskin-soled shoes made by his mother. The shoes offered protection from the wet wire, grip in slippery conditions and allowed Wallenda to feel exactly what he was doing. His aerialist footwear could have passed for cousins to my daughter’s Robeez. If Wallenda’s shoes carried him safely across Niagara Falls, I’m pretty sure the soft shoes my daughter first walked in were a solid choice.

The selection of children’s barefoot running shoes for children of all ages is growing steadily. Our running models—aged four-nine—tried out two of the more widely available models–the Vibram FiveFingers Speed and the Merrell Trail Glove. Vibram and Merrell encourage runners of all ages to give their feet and bodies time to adjust to a barefoot shoe (vibramfivefingers.com, merrell.com/barefoot/).

Both shoes offer soft, flexible soles, minimal padding and lots of room for toes. The youngest shoe models needed help putting on their FiveFingers, but the older runners soon learned how to wiggle their toes into place by starting with the big toe and flipping up the heel once all the toes were in place.

On the day of the photo shoot, after a few minutes of trying to get eight kids to sit still, look at the camera, show their shoes and not block or bug each other, we gave up and told the kids to go play. A spontaneous game of tag ensued. As they ran past us, I stopped planning the rest of the shoot and started watching the kids run. Their form was remarkable. Every step for every kid was a mid-foot strike. Their cadence was brisk. And their range of motion impressive. Having recently had my own gait analyzed and found lacking, I was well-aware of potential issues and none of the kids demonstrated any of them.

I’m not sure how much of that nimble, light running form was a product of the shoes and how much of it was the kids’ natural running form and their youthful flexibility, but it was a beautiful sight—little bodies in motion, moving freely all the way down to their toes.

Not only do these barefoot style shoes promote natural running, the kids soon showed us that the barefoot shoes perform equally well climbing walls, jumping off play structures, chasing friends through sand and leaping over whatever stands in the way of play.