Accomplished Athlete Passionate About Proper Footwear and a Purposeful Life
SAN DIEGO, CA (March 11, 2010) -- When marathoner Jonathan Gunderson vowed to one day race in the Badwater Ultramarathon, his friends vowed to try to talk him out of it.
Dubbed the "world's toughest foot race," the extreme event takes athletes on a 135-mile course from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, in up to 130-degree temperatures. Gunderson was triumphant in that tug-of-war between friends, completing his first Badwater in 2006 – in a pair of Injinji Performance Toesocks, no less.
That day, the 32-year-old Team Injinji athlete from South San Francisco, CA, broke a cardinal rule of running -- never use new gear right before a race – and opted to slip on a pair of once-worn Injinji Toesocks prior to his hundred-plus-mile endeavor.
"They worked fantastic," said Gunderson. "Not only do they help prevent blisters, but they make your feet feel free inside your shoes, not trapped, as if they're in a cocoon."
Gunderson has since finished three more consecutive Badwater Ultras and has improved his time each year, relying on his commitment to push physical, mental and spiritual capacities and, of course, capable footwear.
"A runner's weight falls squarely on his feet, which take the most impact during these long races," he said. "You have to be prepared with the proper equipment. I've seen runners sabotage a race because of shoes that didn't fit right, smashed toes and blisters."
A fan of Injinji's original Performance Series, a patented, moisture-wicking, five-toe-sleeve phenomenon made with CoolMax®, Gunderson and his groomsmen even wore the Toesocks on his wedding day.
He's also become smitten with Injinji's new EX-Celerator Compression Toesock (pictured below left), an over-the-calf interface that helps promote circulation and reduce muscle fatigue, and plans to wear a pair in the majority of his races this year, which include the Western States 100 and Angeles Crest 100, among many others.
And although Gunderson's rigorous training schedule certainly keeps him "on his toes," he continues to make time for another of his life's passions: raising funds to build water wells in Uganda. Inspired by his late pastor, a native Ugandan, Gunderson has used running as a platform for fundraising to improve the living conditions of the country's people by helping provide them access to clean water.
In the coming year, in addition to expanding his race schedule to include more mountainous events, such as the Wasatch 100, Hardrock 100 and Leadville 100, Gunderson also plans to step up his fundraising efforts through charity races and other partnerships to successfully build 100 water wells in Uganda.
"For me, it's about taking my passion for running and making it work with my passion for people," he said. "This will ultimately be a legacy that will last long after I'm through racing."
Injinji is the maker of Performance Toesocks(TM) for sport, outdoor and casual use. A recipient of the American Podiatric Medical Association's Seal of Acceptance, Injinji's Performance Series is recognized for its ability to provide superior moisture management and healthy digital alignment. For more information on the company, visit www.injinji.com.
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