About Recycled Runners

Most runners do their sport to keep fit and have a positive outlook on life. Many of them are keen on looking after our environment and in helping those less fortunate than ourselves. It has long been a concern to me that so many pairs of running shoes are worn then dumped and put in rubbish dumps when so many people in the world have to go barefoot.

We are a non-profit organisation that collects old & discarded running shoes from Australian runners and passes them on to needy runners (+ others) in the Australia and Pacific region.

You can help by passing us your old shoes or asking to receive shoes we collect.

Kevin Tiller

Last change to this page made on Sunday, September 18, 2005 Permalink  

15 Comments:

  • Whilst I admire your desire to help others, have you considered that many less fortunate people who are used to going barefoot are actually healthier that way?
    Running barefoot is the natural way to run.
    You might wonder that MANY people who wear trainers get injured. Do you know many runners who wear trainers that get injured?
    Do those "less fortunate" runners you aim to help have the same injury rates?
    Why not have a look at http://www.runningbarefoot.org/ for more information.
    And consider that those "less fortunate" runners are in fact more fortunate than the majority of the injury ridden shod runners.
    If you watch the elegent way they have learned to run, barefoot, all their life, then why not learn from them and take your own trainers off and run barefoot too?
    It is so much fun!
    Yanni

    By Yanni Papastavrou, at 17/3/06 23:39  

  • Although I suspect the above comment is just to plug his barefoot website, it is worth answering. In Vanuatu I was told that most of the runners would love to wear some shoes - if you are running on sand or well prepared grass or dirt - barefoot is ok, but running on hard concrete roads !? Many of the runners in Vanuatu eventually give up due to bad knees (you can see this just by looking at most of them in their 40s and 50s). Also for people that are dirt-poor, I am not naive enough to believe that they only use the shoes for running in, but also when they are out working in factorys and other places where some foot protection is appreciated.
    AND
    at the end of the day people can make up their own minds, we are not forcing them onto people.

    By Kevin, at 2/4/06 15:22  

  • i think that shoes should be kept by the people because of their great sweat scent. Old shoes smell good and why should they be thrown away or reused? The sweat in old shoes smell good

    By Anonymous, at 4/4/06 10:37  

  • Kevin what a great idea, I read out recycled runners in runners world. I Live and run in Ballarat Vic, I run with a group of upto 100 runners 3-4 times a week that could be a lot of shoes not to mention the runners i work with. So how can I help to gather these shoes and get them to you I gather from your site that you dont have a contact in ballarat or do you? my contact details are jhaynes63@hotmail.com

    By jonballarat, at 4/4/06 22:51  

  • I wonder why the "barefooted runner" used apostrophes so much. This is a great idea. I have at least four pairs taking up space in my wardrobe. Do you have a drop off point in Perth?

    Regards
    KC

    By Anonymous, at 18/4/06 18:17  

  • I am also a barefoot runner, and the same thought ocurred to me when I heard about this "shoe missionary". Having lived and run without shoes for the last two years I regret that I hadn't done this when I was younger and my body was developing. I probably would have a much stonger body. In a way I see this effort as inadvertant attemt to make the rest of the world as physically weak as we have made ourselves. However, the appeal of convenience and comfort is very strong, and it is probably better to let people figure out for themselves that a lot of it is a bunch of crap.

    By Anonymous, at 7/5/06 13:34  

  • I am also a barefoot runner, and the same thought ocurred to me when I heard about this "shoe missionary". Having lived and run without shoes for the last two years I regret that I hadn't done this when I was younger and my body was developing. I probably would have a much stonger body. In a way I see this effort as inadvertant attemt to make the rest of the world as physically weak as we have made ourselves. However, the appeal of convenience and comfort is very strong, and it is probably better to let people figure out for themselves that a lot of it is a bunch of crap.

    By Anonymous, at 7/5/06 13:35  

  • Kevin - Ill be going to Race direct my new venture in India in September. Im willing to take a bagful of shoes as excess baggage. Im sure I will find some willing recepients.

    By Phil Essam, at 25/5/06 21:31  

  • Time for a reality check! Let's not get carried away with the beautiful fantasy of reverting to a more natural way of life where we gambol barefoot across golden sands and lush grasslands. Our bodies were originally designed to live long enough to pass on our genes, raise the next generation and then gracefully exit this world at around 30 years of age. Mother Nature didn't really give a toss whether we were able to run, walk or limp once we had fulfilled our role. Nowadays we last for another 50 years or so and we do need a helping hand (or running shoe...)to keep us going. Evolution has not yet caught up with medical science's ability to extend our lives or ensured that our feet can function properly into a ripe old age. Three cheers to Adidas, Nike, ASICS and Brooks for stepping in and filling the gap!!

    By Kieron, at 4/6/06 12:42  

  • I think that this a great idea and I would like to help. Please let me know how.I live in Echuca, and as a runner myself I have at least 5 pairs of shoes in my cupboard at any given time,and so would all my friend.My contact details are weetie@bigpond.net.au

    By Anonymous, at 16/7/06 15:00  

  • I think this is an awesome idea, I work in a sports store so have numerous runners i was given for free and are in great condition that i'd love to hand over. As for those going on about running bare foot, while yes that is a great idea, I think the whole idea here is also that some people just can not afford shoes, and getting a free pair would be such a great gift for them, even just to wear everyday, not necessarily for running in. So i don't think it's a plan to weaken other people as someone said, but an extremely generous idea that someone has come up with. Well done!

    By Anonymous, at 29/12/06 09:42  

  • Hi, my sister pointed out this website to me and I think it's a great idea. I've organised at my gym to have a bin set up for dropping off runners. It's Energym at 23-25 Overton Road Frankston, Victoria. We've had the bin out about a week and it's already starting to fill which is great that people are getting behind it. We're more than happy for anyone who has runners to drop them off there if they are needing somewhere! If you could let me know how it works once we have a bunch of runners for you that'd be great.
    Look forward to hearing from you, Kim Parrott (kimparrott@hotmail.com or kapar3@student.monash.edu.au)
    p.s. tried the email address but it didn't go through for some reason

    By Kim, at 16/2/07 07:40  

  • Kevin
    I run barefoot as much as possible and encourage clients to include some barefoot sessions into their training.
    I love it but it is not for everyone. Having grown up in East Africa i also undderstand what a second hand pair of shoes means to someone who has none.
    I have circulated an email and hope to have some contributions asap. Where do I drop them off in Sydney?

    Max

    By Max, at 17/4/07 11:34  

  • I think you are re-using the shoes not recycling them! Re use is to find another use (or user) recyling involves making something new from the raw materials recovered. Wendy

    By Anonymous, at 14/5/07 16:12  

  • Here's somebody trying to do some good in the world and all people can do is pick and make stupid comments. Who cares if it's recycle or reuse? It's a wonderful thing to do to help others. Ho wmany of you barefoot blabbers have ever sponsored a poor family? You probably just walk around in you rexpensive clothes and enjoy your lot in life while other people cannot even afford to buy a pair of shoes. Think of the bigger picture. Us Aussies can be such idiots Anyway thanks for caring kevin ...Nico-babe

    By Anonymous, at 2/6/07 10:02  

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