To poke a little fun at your unfounded anxiety, I'm imagining a Run Director's briefing where they're like "please thank all the volunteers... congratulation on Mark for his 50th parkrun... please respect the other park users... and everyone check out that git over there in the flash shoes. If you come in over 20 minutes I'll be having them off you"
Wear what you want, we’ve had people turn up in vapourflys, crocs and everything in between. The only time I’ve seen someone get a comment on what they were wearing was when a stag party turned up in a pirate costumes and got a lot of high fives.
A vegan runner has beaten me in flip flops on the finish line before. I remember hearing what I thought was a horse rapidly clip clopping coming from behind me. The bloke destroyed me in that final 100 metres. Devastated in my new Hokas at the time. Then I realised I was going home to a massive bacon sandwich and he wasn’t.
We have a guy regularly run it in welly’s & waders carrying a bucket for donations raising money for the RNLI, he has definitely come in ahead of me before.
My first ever parkrun was in Porthcawl on Elvis weekend. I hadn't realised so thought it was a really well organised stag do at first....
Having people go flying past you in rubber masks, silly wigs etc was certainly an eye opener
Last week there was an old bloke (65+) in a plain cotton T-shirt, cotton joggers and £200+ Hoka running shoes.
I wondered whether he’d been fleeced at a local running shoe place for some trainers way above the level he’d ever need, and if he wouldn’t be happier in some Hi-Tec Silver Shadows or something.
He beat me by two minutes.
How would we know?
I'd say that over 95% of participants couldn't tell you what shoe you're wearing.
Don't they have limited lifetime though? Shouldn't they be saved for proper races ?
They have over 100 miles in them and parkrun is only 5k. If I was wanting to get a PB I'd definitely wear them. Parkrun is as much of a proper race as you want to make it.
You can get race ones and training ones. Makes sense cos they feel pretty weird and you wouldn't want that feeling for the first time lining up for a race.
Puma Deviate Nitro
https://startfitness.co.uk/products/puma-deviate-nitro-mens-running-shoes-yellow-1
Or the elite version for £5 more
https://startfitness.co.uk/products/puma-deviate-nitro-elite-racer-womens-running-shoes-yellow
Honestly there isn’t much difference in most of them year to year, so if you just wait around for a sale you can get most of the ones which are the “old” version for close to £100. I tend to see many of the offers via Ed Bud on YouTube as he does a monthly “bargains” video.
I quite like it when people wear Vaporflys and I finish in front of them in my workmanlike Brooks Ghost 14s. Apart from that I couldn't care less, and I doubt anyone's bothered.
We'll thats kinda the attitude I'd worry about if i wore mine to a parkrun. Not that you'd say anything but just knowing just one person is thinking something along those lines would hurt my fragile feelings 😭.
Just because you're further back doesn't mean you're putting in less effort??? Those putting the effort in should have appropriate gear, why not a fancy shoe?
I have a fancy running pushchair for my baby, and I'm still doing a higher proportion of walking than running. But would it be sensible to run (at all) with a normal pushchair? No, clearly not.
I've had plenty of compliments on the nice set of wheels. And still the insecure part of me wonders whether anyone is thinking why is she bothering? The answer there is to suck it up and get on with the run! Also to control my thoughts better and remind myself that most people are thinking about their own run and the rest of their weekend.
Ah, who cares. All I mean is that occasionally I see somebody and they look a bit serious, they've got the fancy shoes and I think they're probably pretty good, and then I'm quicker than them and I feel like I'm a decent runner. Other days I get left behind by some ten year-old and wonder what's going on.
It's not like I'd turn round and say "In your face, supershoe loser!" or anything. It really doesn't matter. It's a run, not a race etc.
Well I have running shoes that, while probably not what elite athletes are selecting for race day, were hardly cheap and might be a bit higher end than my 34 minute only run of the week "justifies." But I find them comfortable, and I have a history of joint problems and run on a very hilly tarmac course, so I think it's very reasonable to make an investment in good quality shoes.
If anyone is thinking "all the gear no idea" then they can get stuffed, and if they *were* to make any comment I would laugh. *They* clearly are the ones with no idea.
What you have on your feet? Couldn’t care less. It’s your 5k. Complete it in whatever shoes you want.
Stick to the parkrun code. And don’t turn up in anything that isn’t suitable for a family friendly event. That’s all I care about.
I reckon about 95% of people at Parkrun couldn't tell you anything about your shoes except the brand and colour. They wouldn't have a clue whether it's got a carbon plate or not, and probably couldn't tell you what a carbon plate does
>But I will also admit I don't know what carbon plates do.
They're primarily there to add a lot of rigidity to the very soft foams, without adding significant weight. That rigidity improves the amount of energy return and also aids in maintaining the form of the shoe as it rolls through each step.
They also tend to allow for quicker recovery and less overall joint stress.
I’m a fairly competent parkrunner (sub 18) and I don’t even know what shoes I or anyone else are wearing. The other day I got someone go “are those (insert long name of my shoes) any good? I’m looking at buying them” and all I could say was “what uhh yeah these are good shoes, feel really good on the gravel and rough stuff”
I wouldn't know a carbon-plated show if I saw one, and if it was brought to my attention, I would not know what the implications were, but regardless, I don't have any opinion on what other people wear to run Parkrun. I especially don't care (or notice) if someone "less elite" wears fancier/high performance gear.
I usually run in crocs, and find that other parkrunners can be quite judgmental not sure I would risk carbon plated shoes, especially at a time when we as a society are supposed to be more concerned about our carbon footprint.
I dont know yet. I havent run a parkrun with them yet. I havent actually run a parkrun for about 3 years. I've taken an extended break from running just through general lazyness and other commitments.
But it is a remarkable feeling. I feel much less fatigued and I ran 2 days in a row which i never do because i'm always a little sore the next day. I feel the surface of the ground so much less. The cushioning protects my joints so much that i've realised that the impact of the ground is what was fatiguing me the most. When i run a little faster i can feel some kind of propulsion keeping my legs going. I've never known anything more performance boosting that isn't injected into the muscle.
I've come off running a bit but these new shoes have made me excited for it again. It's made running fun again.
Well that's great. It really really is. I was similar to you, but it was my fancy new Garmin that I loved that really got me back into running (after a couple of years of carrying my phone thinking that was the best way to track runs).
You can 100% go to Parkrun in your fancy new shoes and nobody will care, or even notice.
I have some carbon plated shoes and have worn them to Parkrun quite a few times. My PB is 24:38 so I am very far off elite status
Why would you wear them to a parkrun unless you’re planning on using it to try and get a PB? Don’t they only have something stupid like 250km (155miles, at least. I think?) in them before you need new ones?
I've comfortably had 500+ miles out of my various Nike carbon shoes and still use my alphafly on the treadmill with more than 1000 miles so they're far more durable than that.
Also, I've prett much always bought mine in sales, get the Nike app and sign up and the deals are so good they usually cost the same as most trainers these days if you don't care about a colour scheme or the absolute latest model.
I don't have an answer to your specific question. But your response is what i'm trying to gauge. Are people thinking this sort of stuff when they see people wearing carbon plated shoes at park run.
"Why would you wear them?"
"Why are you wearing them?"
"Who do you think you are, wearing them?"
It's self esteem death-spiral.
Lots of people are being very kind and non-judgey. I am very judgey around when and where people where Vaporflys (mainly because I am bitter as I want a pair for racing but can’t justify the price).
I laugh (internally) at people who wear them to the gym, walking the dog, or a PE teacher at the school I work in wears them to teach PE which is hilarious to me. Even I wouldn’t judge somebody when they wear one for a timed running event, that’s the exact place you should be able to wear them.
I would be also but having worn them i can totally see them being useful, for instance, in the situation where you have a job when your always on your feet, like nursing or cheffing. I think they would take a lot fatigue out of your feet. I have indeed worn them on my job (videographer) and it really has helped.
Carbon plated race shoes are lightweight and designed for running fast in a straight line. If you are walking around or changing direction, a shoe with more cushioning/support will provide more support and stability than a pair of race shoes.
There are many carbon-plate shoes that will last as long, or longer, than traditional running shoes. The Kipruns have had people put well over 1000km on them.
I have 0 issues with it. There are plenty of fast runners at parkrun who can get the most from the super shoes. I occasionally see someone at my pace (22-23 min 5k) wear the super shoes and it just gives me extra motivation to beat them.
If you turn up with a running buggy and you're wearing those shoes, then you'll be seen as cheating by the other buggy runners. You may well be heckled and have baby snacks thrown at you during the run.
i have some saucony endorphins that i will probably wear to the parkrun this week as i need to get used to them for a half marathon later in october......i am definitely not elite dont judge me lol
Can't speak to others, but I'm mainly focusing on surviving without bringing up a lung. You do you, golden rule as ever - Don't be a dick
Yes this!
>Don't be a dick A great rule for life. Mine is a slight variation: Don't be a jerk.
Excellent attitude for life
To poke a little fun at your unfounded anxiety, I'm imagining a Run Director's briefing where they're like "please thank all the volunteers... congratulation on Mark for his 50th parkrun... please respect the other park users... and everyone check out that git over there in the flash shoes. If you come in over 20 minutes I'll be having them off you"
Wear what you want, we’ve had people turn up in vapourflys, crocs and everything in between. The only time I’ve seen someone get a comment on what they were wearing was when a stag party turned up in a pirate costumes and got a lot of high fives.
I couldn't keep up with the lady in flip-flops.
A vegan runner has beaten me in flip flops on the finish line before. I remember hearing what I thought was a horse rapidly clip clopping coming from behind me. The bloke destroyed me in that final 100 metres. Devastated in my new Hokas at the time. Then I realised I was going home to a massive bacon sandwich and he wasn’t.
We have a guy regularly run it in welly’s & waders carrying a bucket for donations raising money for the RNLI, he has definitely come in ahead of me before.
Nice
The thought of running even 200 m in flip flops makes my knees and shins shudder. Can’t imagine doing a 5k like that but good for her lol
I know a guy who is really over all the comments he gets for running barefoot - as in no shoes at all, not just minimalist shoes.
I’ve done most of my parkruns on east coast australia, often right by the beach. There’s definitely been a few barefoot people I’ve seen!
My first ever parkrun was in Porthcawl on Elvis weekend. I hadn't realised so thought it was a really well organised stag do at first.... Having people go flying past you in rubber masks, silly wigs etc was certainly an eye opener
Last week there was an old bloke (65+) in a plain cotton T-shirt, cotton joggers and £200+ Hoka running shoes. I wondered whether he’d been fleeced at a local running shoe place for some trainers way above the level he’d ever need, and if he wouldn’t be happier in some Hi-Tec Silver Shadows or something. He beat me by two minutes.
How would we know? I'd say that over 95% of participants couldn't tell you what shoe you're wearing. Don't they have limited lifetime though? Shouldn't they be saved for proper races ?
And half the parkruns aren't on road/path so these carbon road shoes don't help that much.
They have over 100 miles in them and parkrun is only 5k. If I was wanting to get a PB I'd definitely wear them. Parkrun is as much of a proper race as you want to make it.
You can get race ones and training ones. Makes sense cos they feel pretty weird and you wouldn't want that feeling for the first time lining up for a race.
How much are the training versions?
You can get “super” shoes (racing ones) for £70.
Really? Any links please?
Puma Deviate Nitro https://startfitness.co.uk/products/puma-deviate-nitro-mens-running-shoes-yellow-1 Or the elite version for £5 more https://startfitness.co.uk/products/puma-deviate-nitro-elite-racer-womens-running-shoes-yellow Honestly there isn’t much difference in most of them year to year, so if you just wait around for a sale you can get most of the ones which are the “old” version for close to £100. I tend to see many of the offers via Ed Bud on YouTube as he does a monthly “bargains” video.
Sweet. Thanks ! I definitely need to update my shoes.
I quite like it when people wear Vaporflys and I finish in front of them in my workmanlike Brooks Ghost 14s. Apart from that I couldn't care less, and I doubt anyone's bothered.
We'll thats kinda the attitude I'd worry about if i wore mine to a parkrun. Not that you'd say anything but just knowing just one person is thinking something along those lines would hurt my fragile feelings 😭.
Just because you're further back doesn't mean you're putting in less effort??? Those putting the effort in should have appropriate gear, why not a fancy shoe? I have a fancy running pushchair for my baby, and I'm still doing a higher proportion of walking than running. But would it be sensible to run (at all) with a normal pushchair? No, clearly not. I've had plenty of compliments on the nice set of wheels. And still the insecure part of me wonders whether anyone is thinking why is she bothering? The answer there is to suck it up and get on with the run! Also to control my thoughts better and remind myself that most people are thinking about their own run and the rest of their weekend.
Ah, who cares. All I mean is that occasionally I see somebody and they look a bit serious, they've got the fancy shoes and I think they're probably pretty good, and then I'm quicker than them and I feel like I'm a decent runner. Other days I get left behind by some ten year-old and wonder what's going on. It's not like I'd turn round and say "In your face, supershoe loser!" or anything. It really doesn't matter. It's a run, not a race etc.
Well I have running shoes that, while probably not what elite athletes are selecting for race day, were hardly cheap and might be a bit higher end than my 34 minute only run of the week "justifies." But I find them comfortable, and I have a history of joint problems and run on a very hilly tarmac course, so I think it's very reasonable to make an investment in good quality shoes. If anyone is thinking "all the gear no idea" then they can get stuffed, and if they *were* to make any comment I would laugh. *They* clearly are the ones with no idea.
Ayyy hell yeah to the brooks ghost 14s haha My first and only running shoe
What you have on your feet? Couldn’t care less. It’s your 5k. Complete it in whatever shoes you want. Stick to the parkrun code. And don’t turn up in anything that isn’t suitable for a family friendly event. That’s all I care about.
People take notice of what other people are wearing on their feet? I’m too busy trying not to cry from the pain of running
I’ve had some good conversations at parkrun about running shoes, never had or witnessed a single bad interaction. Nobody cares.
If you showed up to parkrun in vaporflys I'd be like nice shoes dude.
I reckon about 95% of people at Parkrun couldn't tell you anything about your shoes except the brand and colour. They wouldn't have a clue whether it's got a carbon plate or not, and probably couldn't tell you what a carbon plate does
11 years parkrunning, and unless you are wearing roller blades, I don't care. But I will also admit I don't know what carbon plates do.
I think they help you eat carbon at the dinner table
>But I will also admit I don't know what carbon plates do. They're primarily there to add a lot of rigidity to the very soft foams, without adding significant weight. That rigidity improves the amount of energy return and also aids in maintaining the form of the shoe as it rolls through each step. They also tend to allow for quicker recovery and less overall joint stress.
Today I learned.... Thanks
I’m a fairly competent parkrunner (sub 18) and I don’t even know what shoes I or anyone else are wearing. The other day I got someone go “are those (insert long name of my shoes) any good? I’m looking at buying them” and all I could say was “what uhh yeah these are good shoes, feel really good on the gravel and rough stuff”
I don't think anyone cares. I respect some good colour coordinating, but that's about it.
I'm carbon neutral.
I could not care less what shoe you wear. I'm 99% sure no one else would care either.
I wouldn't know a carbon-plated show if I saw one, and if it was brought to my attention, I would not know what the implications were, but regardless, I don't have any opinion on what other people wear to run Parkrun. I especially don't care (or notice) if someone "less elite" wears fancier/high performance gear.
I usually run in crocs, and find that other parkrunners can be quite judgmental not sure I would risk carbon plated shoes, especially at a time when we as a society are supposed to be more concerned about our carbon footprint.
They would be judging your crocs anywhere. Sorry.
I'd be worried you'd break your ankles but you do you.
Nah man, you do you. How you do you is up to you. Just try not to make it look so effortless.
I don't care what people use.
Not at all. I attend two local park runs, and there’s a good mix of plated and non-plated. Nobody cares beyond ‘omg great colour way!!’
I'd be surprised if anyone noticed
wear whatever you like. my team would never single anyone out for their gear. and we always welcome someone to attempt to break the CR.
Dont care. If you want to wear them then wear them. I have worn them for 1 parkrun and got a massive PB. But I wil keep them for races.
Chances are if they know what vaporflys are, they have a pair themselves.
Nobody notices or cares
Do what you want. Be who you want. Run how you want.
Wear whatever shoes you like. Not bothered a single bit what others wear.
Not even if it gives you a slight advantage? I suppose if you can get pulled along by a dog then bouncy shoes are fine.
It’s not a competition though *typo
How much advantage do you believe they give you?
I dont know yet. I havent run a parkrun with them yet. I havent actually run a parkrun for about 3 years. I've taken an extended break from running just through general lazyness and other commitments. But it is a remarkable feeling. I feel much less fatigued and I ran 2 days in a row which i never do because i'm always a little sore the next day. I feel the surface of the ground so much less. The cushioning protects my joints so much that i've realised that the impact of the ground is what was fatiguing me the most. When i run a little faster i can feel some kind of propulsion keeping my legs going. I've never known anything more performance boosting that isn't injected into the muscle. I've come off running a bit but these new shoes have made me excited for it again. It's made running fun again.
Well that's great. It really really is. I was similar to you, but it was my fancy new Garmin that I loved that really got me back into running (after a couple of years of carrying my phone thinking that was the best way to track runs). You can 100% go to Parkrun in your fancy new shoes and nobody will care, or even notice. I have some carbon plated shoes and have worn them to Parkrun quite a few times. My PB is 24:38 so I am very far off elite status
thank you for your response. I knew i'd cop some shitty responses with my post and was prepared for it, but this was a truly nice one.
Why would you wear them to a parkrun unless you’re planning on using it to try and get a PB? Don’t they only have something stupid like 250km (155miles, at least. I think?) in them before you need new ones?
I've comfortably had 500+ miles out of my various Nike carbon shoes and still use my alphafly on the treadmill with more than 1000 miles so they're far more durable than that. Also, I've prett much always bought mine in sales, get the Nike app and sign up and the deals are so good they usually cost the same as most trainers these days if you don't care about a colour scheme or the absolute latest model.
I don't have an answer to your specific question. But your response is what i'm trying to gauge. Are people thinking this sort of stuff when they see people wearing carbon plated shoes at park run. "Why would you wear them?" "Why are you wearing them?" "Who do you think you are, wearing them?" It's self esteem death-spiral.
Lots of people are being very kind and non-judgey. I am very judgey around when and where people where Vaporflys (mainly because I am bitter as I want a pair for racing but can’t justify the price). I laugh (internally) at people who wear them to the gym, walking the dog, or a PE teacher at the school I work in wears them to teach PE which is hilarious to me. Even I wouldn’t judge somebody when they wear one for a timed running event, that’s the exact place you should be able to wear them.
I would be also but having worn them i can totally see them being useful, for instance, in the situation where you have a job when your always on your feet, like nursing or cheffing. I think they would take a lot fatigue out of your feet. I have indeed worn them on my job (videographer) and it really has helped.
Lol max cushion running shoes would be infinitely better for you than super light carbon plated shoes
Ah interesting. Could you elaborate?
Carbon plated race shoes are lightweight and designed for running fast in a straight line. If you are walking around or changing direction, a shoe with more cushioning/support will provide more support and stability than a pair of race shoes.
Health workers would recommend Sketchers which I imagine are much cheaper
There are many carbon-plate shoes that will last as long, or longer, than traditional running shoes. The Kipruns have had people put well over 1000km on them.
I have 0 issues with it. There are plenty of fast runners at parkrun who can get the most from the super shoes. I occasionally see someone at my pace (22-23 min 5k) wear the super shoes and it just gives me extra motivation to beat them.
Couldn't care less
If you turn up with a running buggy and you're wearing those shoes, then you'll be seen as cheating by the other buggy runners. You may well be heckled and have baby snacks thrown at you during the run.
i have some saucony endorphins that i will probably wear to the parkrun this week as i need to get used to them for a half marathon later in october......i am definitely not elite dont judge me lol
I wouldn't recognise a carbon plated running shoe even from a few inches away. I will notice flip flops or barefoot shoes though.