Disney RM- Barefoot Bob Graham!

On August 1^st, 2021, just in time for his birthday, Disney RM set off in an attempt to complete the Bob Graham Round … Barefoot! The 66-mile Bob Graham, which incorporates 42 fells and 89,900ft of ascent is famous for time record attempts, with many endurance athletes having had a go at completing the Round in 24 hours or less, but typically with their shoes on!

With a history of Barefoot challenges under his belt, such as Snowdon and the three peaks, Disney RM set his sights on the Bob Graham as the next step in his barefoot running journey! Ultrarunner Magazine caught up with Disney for a Q & A about his latest challenge!

What was the motivation for taking on the Bob Graham Round barefoot?

Covid related restrictions and lockdowns meant that by the time British restrictions started to ease up, I had turned my attention to the Bob Graham Round, it seemed like a natural next step, a way to level up!  I didn’t have my mindset on a fastest known time (FKT) record, I just wanted to complete the route, that was my only intention. I went in for the route, not the round.

Why barefoot?

Why not barefoot!!! Leaving your shoes behind and going for a run is not something that I would push on anyone (I am not a pushy person, at all), but I would encourage everyone to just give it a try, at least once, even if only for the experience.

In the ’60s, Nike brought about the boom in the elevator heel block, and it really took off. From that, our posture, our striking patterns, our stance, and such, have been affected. The negative side of the heel block has been researched greatly and from that, we see knee problems, hip and shin issues, ankle injuries etc.