Damian Hall - Sycamore Gap Tree Vandalism, Single Use Shoes, UTMB And TDG

On this episode of the podcast I speak to Damian Hall.
This is Damo’s third time on the podcast and we wasted no time getting into the nitty gritty of a few things that have happened in the last week, in the world of running and ultramarathons.
Firstly Damo gives his personal thoughts on the sad news about the famous Sycamore Gap tree being felled overnight by vandals.
We then talk about Adidas’s new ‘single use shoe’ and how the Green Runners are obviously most disturbed about it coming to market.
After those two rants, we then get onto another hot topic……UTMB and their recent addition of Dacia as a leading sponsor.
We even have time to talk about his recent 4th place at TDG and his training leading up to the Spine race this coming January.
A great listen if you are interested in keeping up to date with what he and the other Green Runners are up to on our behalf.
Photo credit: Wild Aperture
URS

[@NeilTurnbull007]

Interesting points about milage from shoes - I think now is a good time for companies to increase the lifespan of shoes and make it a selling point . I bought a pair of trail shoes last year and was told they would be good for 400 miles , but in reality I reckon they will be ok for another 50 % of that , especially when I use them off hard surfaces . Manufactures get a good degree of consumer confidence if they make things that last . That was really sad about the Sycamore Gap tree , couldn't really find the words for that apart from why ?

[@ultrarunningsam]

Yeah seems to be the way with shoes. They always last a lot longer than stated. 💯 agree a brand needs to jump on that!

[@KelpandFern]

Wore many brands and nothing comes close to the Decathlon TR2, on my fifth pair (i rotate between them and other brands to test) and the first four pairs have all done well over 1200 miles with uppers still in good shape, only the tread is worn. I simply replace the insole at about 600-800 miles and they're like new.
In regards to UTMB, I raced the CCC this year and they were constantly shouting "respect nature" whilst serving animal products at every aid station, with animal-ag as the lead cause of environmental destruction with no other industry coming close, it was quite upsetting. I literally had plain bread and fresh fruit and nothing else available to me, even the vegetable soup and broth had beef in it.

[@ultrarunningsam]

I guess countries and races have some catching up to do. I’m sure it will happen eventually though, just maybe not in our running lifetimes…..