Well, we’re one month from the Tulip Time 5k. Festival Organizers are predicting a record turn-out for the race this year. In fact, over half of the 15,000 spots have already been filled. I hope you’ve got your registration in. I’m sure it will fill up now that registration for the Chicago Marathon has closed. Adding to the excitement, the race director, Andrew Deumling, announced the elite runner, April Poisson, will be racing. She may even make an attempt on the 5k world record. Poisson recently stirred controversy in the racing scene by while winning gold at the World Cross Country Championships. She stunned the running community by winning the race barefoot. The controversy began when she taunted her shod competitors during the race. Each time she passed an athlete sponsored by Nike, Adidas, Saucony, or Asics, she would point at their shoes and hold her nose. After the finish, she proclaimed that no one wearing the “shoes of the devil” could beat her. She may have cost herself some sponsorship dollars with her antics, but she definitely drew attention to the little-known trend of barefoot running.

The barefoot running science and Ms. Poisson have convinced us. Gazelle Sports recognizes that people’s form is drastically improved and running is significantly safer without shoes. We want to encourage all runners to do all of their running with the feet they grew-up with. We are working with our vendors to transition from specialty shoes to really durable socks. We’ll now fit you with custom socks when you come into the store.

Also, because your safety is our primary concern, we’ll now be selling custom running helmets. Many runners run at dangerous times of the day (the dark morning and dark evening). To protect runners from injury, we’re emphasizing the need for helmets. In fact, they will be required at the Tulip Time 5k. Be safe out there.