This may seem remarkably similar to the “tri or road bike question,” but I have yet to find a reasonable answer. I know a lot of the run is off road/on sand/etc, so I’m wondering whether a better idea is to race in a trail flat-type shoe, ie, Montrail Rogue Racer, or if a regular racing flat (Nike LunaRacer)
I used very slick road racing flats, but if I did it again, I’d use my XC race flats. I needed the traction on the stair ladder in particular. Sand/grass sections weren’t that bad though, just slipping out on the stair section.
I’d go with the racing shoe. This isn’t a trail run by any means. The sand and sand steps are a slog no matter what. The trail section is hard pack although some of the run has loose gravel on the surface. I did the race in the Newton racer (not a pure flat) which is probably less stable than Lunaracer because of the lugs. I’ve transitioned away from Newtons and if I raced Alcatraz again, I’d probably just wear a racing flat. I’d probably consider a spikeless XC flat with enough cushioning to handle the short sections on asphalt (I think the New Balance XC flat would work for this).
I did EFA in 2009. You need 4 pairs of shoes for this event. #1 The junk ones you wear on the ferry and leave in a bag on the ferry (brought back to you after the event). #2 The ones you wear after you take off your wet suit and run to the transition area in. #3 The bike shoes for riding the bike. #4 The shoes that you will run up a shit load of steps in and across a soft sandy beach in. You want #4 shoes to be easy to take off and pour out the sand and put back on quickly. Best of luck, Tim
I remember wishing I had my snowshoes for the section of deep sand.
I typically just use racing flats (LunarRacers in my case).
Most of the trail running is hardpack dirt, and nothing short of snowshoes will help on the sand.
I’m not sure a trail running shoe would give much advantage (I certainly wasn’t out there wishing I had some). Most of the pros use their standard flats.
I would recommend socks though (with some ankle coverage), since sand will get in your shoes.
X2. I used NB Minimus Road sockless, which was more or less fine. For a second go I would opt for something like Saucony Kilkenny or NB MT101.
Yes, the Baker Beach section sucks. I think the top of the sand ladder is around mile 5.5, so even if you took on a bit of sand you should be okay right to the finish.
I’d go with the racing shoe. This isn’t a trail run by any means. The sand and sand steps are a slog no matter what. The trail section is hard pack although some of the run has loose gravel on the surface. I did the race in the Newton racer (not a pure flat) which is probably less stable than Lunaracer because of the lugs. I’ve transitioned away from Newtons and if I raced Alcatraz again, I’d probably just wear a racing flat. I’d probably consider a spikeless XC flat with enough cushioning to handle the short sections on asphalt (I think the New Balance XC flat would work for this).
Wear your normal 10k/1/2 racing flat. Most of the trails are hard pack…yes the sand, but a lot of road too. Also consider a pair of junkers to get from swim exit to T1. Recon it yourself, but the pavement is very rough (yes HTFU), but I thought when I went to put on my cycling shoes that my feet were going to look like raw hamburger, they did not. but felt like it.
Have fun
I did EFA in 2009. You need 4 pairs of shoes for this event. #1 The junk ones you wear on the ferry and leave in a bag on the ferry (brought back to you after the event). #2 The ones you wear after you take off your wet suit and run to the transition area in. #3 The bike shoes for riding the bike. #4 The shoes that you will run up a shit load of steps in and across a soft sandy beach in. You want #4 shoes to be easy to take off and pour out the sand and put back on quickly. Best of luck, Tim
this. I just used a cheap pair of aqua shoes for the T1 run as its not that far, but too far for me to do with bare feet. I did the run in a old pair of shoes I was going to throw out at home. Then threw them out right there after the race so I didn’t have to worry about getting all the sand out and didn’t need to pack them for the flight home again.
above all else, enjoy its a great race.
FishHog