Running Barefoot

I’m not a master craftsperson by any means. But, In 2003 I spent dozens of hours carving the first Running Barefoot Hall of Fame award. Then I travelled across the United States to deliver it to Charley Robbins in Connecticut, via his daughter, Barrie Robbins-Pianka.

From California, I rode a bus to Colorado. Then I carpooled to Michigan with my brother. Then I carpooled with my sister to Connecticut. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would get back home again. It was kind of a “Planes, Buses, and Automobiles” adventure. I did all of this, because I believed that Charley Robbins deserved at least this amount of recognition for 65+ years of testing and proving the benefits of running barefoot!

I believe that I am not alone in looking forward to honoring other deserving long-time barefoot runners, for showing us that shoes are not neccessary, if not detrimental to running naturally.

However, anyone deserving of this honor, deserves to be honored with a bit of our effort. So please, if you would like to honor someone, make certain that you are willing to put in some effort and creativity to make another award, and take the time and travel (if need be) to present it. Anyone, who you believe to be worthy of the effort on your part, is worthy of the Running Barefoot Hall of Fame award!

The specifications for the award are simple.

1. Like our feet, it must be made of mostly natural, long-lasting, or self-renewing material
2. Like our feet, it must not be mass produced, or store bought
3. It must be original
4. It must be creative
5. It must be personalized for the honoree
6. It must be something you, and hopefully, the honoree would be proud to display in their home forever!

If you know of someone worthy of your labors, and such a unique and special award, please let me know, so we can also honor them here.

Note, I didn’t put any specific requirements for the honoree. I figure, if you’re willing to put forth the effort, as described above, then they have earned the award. In essence, you show your faith in the honoree through your efforts.