The first international marathon in Guangzhou in 2012 attracted 20,000 running enthusiasts to sign up, including many from Hong Kong and Macau. The full marathon route passed by numerous iconic landmarks and attractions in Guangzhou such as Haixinsha Island, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the Canton Tower, and the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, showcasing over 2,000 years of the city’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
The most eye-catching sight at the first Guangzhou International Marathon on November 18, 2012, was the presence of the barefoot running team from VFF, the pioneer of minimalist footwear. Dressed as various superheroes such as Spider-Man, Batman, Captain America, and the Fantastic Four, the barefoot runners entertained and inspired onlookers with their fun and fashionable interpretation of natural, effortless running. Meanwhile, the “I Ran Barefoot in Guangzhou” team, composed of members from the VFF Barefoot Running Training Camp and barefoot running enthusiasts from across the country, showcased the “Born to Run” philosophy on the marathon course. Their unusual costumes, unique shoes, and joyful atmosphere drew crowds of fellow runners and passersby, marking the beginning of the barefoot running trend.
In 2012, the New York Times bestseller “BORN TO RUN” was published in simplified Chinese as “天生就会跑,” sparking widespread discussion about barefoot running and making it the hottest topic in the running community. Prior to the Guangzhou Marathon, Vibram, a global pioneer in promoting barefoot running, launched the “Born to Run” – VFF Barefoot Running Guangzhou Training Camp. This gave more running enthusiasts in the Pearl River Delta region the opportunity to learn about and try barefoot running, rediscover their bodies, and learn how to use them in the correct, natural way—regaining the joy of moving with freedom.
Over the four-week VFF Barefoot Running Guangzhou Training Camp, participants gradually came to understand the natural approach of barefoot running and the philosophy behind VFF barefoot running shoes—our feet are our most important running tools. They contain 52 bones, 66 joints, 40 muscles, and hundreds of sensory nerves, tendons, and ligaments, making them the most sophisticated and efficient movement system in the human body. Compared to traditional running shoes, VFF barefoot running shoes provide a barefoot-like experience that helps wearers return to a more natural running posture and stride: landing on the forefoot, bending the ankles and knees to absorb impact, thereby reducing direct stress on the knees and spine, strengthening the muscles of the feet and calves, improving stability and balance while running, and allowing the feet and body to move naturally and freely.
Vibram FiveFingers, through its promotion of minimalist running culture in 2012—hosting barefoot running training camps in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong—helped form a community of barefoot running enthusiasts in China. Barefoot running and minimalist running have become some of the hottest topics among fitness enthusiasts.
At the upcoming Beijing Marathon and Shanghai Marathon, if you see runners from “I Ran Barefoot in Beijing,” “I Ran Barefoot in Shanghai,” or “I Ran Barefoot in Hong Kong,” please cheer them on. VFF also welcomes all running enthusiasts to join the Born to Run family and experience the most natural and effortless way to run.
