THE BROOKS BLOG

Just before 2009 came to a close, The Washington Times Communities’ online running column "Run, Karla, Run!" honored ultra runner Scott Jurek by including him in a post titled "The Best Runners of the Decade."

Runner/journalist Karla Bruning ranked Jurek 8th on the 10-person roster, which also includes Catherine Ndereba, Tirunesh Dibaba, Usain Bolt, Haile Gebrselassie, and Paula Radcliffe. Of her highly personal, yet star-studded list, Bruning notes:

"My picks are completely unscientific and subjective, and I’m sure they will incite at least a little grumbling. But these 10 runners have dazzled the world with feats of strength. . . and racked up the hardware to prove it."

About Brooks-sponsored ultramarathoner Jurek, in particular, she writes:

"There’s distance and then there’s distance. In the burgeoning field of ultramarathons, Scott Jurek is the king of the road."

>> Read "The Best Runners of the Decade" online column in its entirety here.

As a champion ultra runner, running coach, and physical therapist, Jurek was one of the experts whose opinions we sought in preparing our Perspective on Barefoot Running . Jurek was also one of the runners featured prominently in Born to Run , the bestselling book by Christopher McDougall.

In his expert section on barefoot running, Jurek states:

"Personally, I have used barefoot running before and/or after a speed workout by warming up and cooling down in 10- to 15-minute sessions on grass or artificial turf for technique training. I have also used it to prevent injury or rehab a foot-ankle injury, such as plantar fasciitis, by running on grass or sand for one to four miles. As a running coach, I have recommended running barefoot for the same reasons I have used it in my own training program. The key is proper progression and integration (i.e. avoiding too much, too soon) to allow the athlete’s body to adapt appropriately."

To see Scott Jurek’s "pros" and "cons" of barefoot running, along with the rest of his remarks on the topic, please read his expert statement.
>> See the rest of our experts’ statements
>> Read our Perspective on Barefoot Running