Duncan Callahan

Duncan Callahan, from Gunnison, CO, has been competitively ultra-running since 2007. With two Leadville Trail 100 wins, a Moab 100 win and multiple wins and top finishes in other challenging trail races, Callahan is really staking his claim in the ultra-running world. When we asked him why he runs he told us there are many reasons; to move, to simplify, to be in the mountains, sage, tress, sun, rain, snow, heat and cold and to embrace all of these extremes. He sees endurance as a life-skill and loves to compete with himself and push through discomforts to reach the goals he has set before himself at the start of every new race season. During peak training season, you will find Callahan averaging 110 - 180 miles a week during his runs. Callahan’s shoe of choice for the 2011 race season? The Vasque Mindbender. Read about Duncan’s latest adventure!

Duncan's races for this season:

• Moab Red Hot 50 – 5th place finish
• Adventure Island 50 – 2nd place finish
• Spring Desert Ultra 50 – 1st place finish
• Collegiate Peaks 50 – 4th place finish
• Sun Mountain 50
• San Juan Solistice 50
• Hardrock 100
• Leadville Trail 100
• Trail Runner Ultraroc

Adventure Running Company

When you take an adventure running tour with Adventure Running Co., you'll be treated like family.  Owners Andy and Kim Holak are experienced trail ultra-marathon runners and parents of three active kids.  Based in the North Woods of Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior, Andy and Kim have explored many of the best trails in the North.  Over the years, they've also run many of the most scenic and diverse trails in the country.  Now, they'd like to share some of these adventure running experiences with you! Go to their website and plan your next trail running adventure! www.adventurerunningco.com.

Bakers Edge Adventure Team

The Baker’s Edge Adventure Team (BEAT) is a small group of multi-sport challengers with different athletic backgrounds coming together to compete in adventure, orienteering, and trail races. The team is made up of a mix of former NCAA athletes, as well as a chef, artist, and strategist guru that each have years of racing experience with countless top 10 finishes.  BEAT travels the Midwest to race and build awareness of trail and adventure sports – and even takes a detour here and there to compete in some non-traditional races. The team is co-sponsored by Baker’s Edge and Vasque. All pre-race meals consist of lasagna and brownies and all trails and pedals are stomped with Vasque gear.  See their current races and mis-adventures via the BEAT blog.

Team DART

Team DART Adventure Racing Team was formed in 2002 in Seattle, Washington. Since then, they've competed in hundreds of races and have become one of the most successful teams in North America by winning premiere races from Canada to Mexico as well as leaving their mark on the world stage.

The team is committed to training and racing at an elite level and competing against the best teams in the world. They are also dedicated to fostering the growth of adventure racing and adventure sports in general. See their race schedule and learn more about their adventures at www.dartadventure.com.

American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations

Vasque is a proud sponsor of American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations. American Hiking Society represents tens of millions of hikers who are committed to beautiful places to hike and who, like Vasque, believe that the preservation of hiking trails and their environment is important and a worthwhile legacy to leave future generations. As an American Hiking Society sponsor, Vasque continues their commitment to environmental stewardship, healthy lifestyles, and nature-based recreation.  To learn more about AHS and the Volunteer Vacations program visit: www.americanhiking.org.

Backpacker Get Out More Tour

Vasque is proud to be the exclusive footwear sponsor of the 2011 Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour. The Get Out More Road Team is led by Randy and Sheri Propster. In 2011, this dynamic couple celebrates their 5th year with the tour and will be visiting outdoor retailers and festivals in more than 35 states and 61 cities over a 9-month period to promote the active outdoor lifestyle and teach practical outdoor skills. New for 2011, the Propsters are hiking the trails from Backpacker’s Rip and Go trips as featured in the January favorite hiking trails issue and presenting their trail experiences at each stop. See where the Propsters are headed next - www.getoutmoretour.com

Destination Truth

For the third year, Vasque is supplying boots for Josh Gates and his crew as they travel the globe investigating stories of the unexplained. On Destination Truth, Josh is accompanied by his small crew as they dive into the local cultures and search for clues into the existence of strange creatures and paranormal phenomena across the globe. To learn more about Destination Truth go to www.syfy.com/destinationtruth.

Mike Ehredt – Project America Run

In 2010, Mike Ehredt, a veteran and retired U.S. Postal worker from Driggs, ID, completed his goal of running from coast to coast honoring fallen U.S. troops lost in Iraq. Coined Project America Run, Ehredt ran a total of 4,424 miles from the coast of Astoria, OR to Rockland, ME,  placing an American flag adorned with a yellow ribbon at every mile to recognize and honor each solider. Averaging near 30 miles per day, Ehredt finished only 167 days after he departed from the Pacific coast with only 4 days off during the entire trek.

In 2011, Ehredt will be running The Camino de Santiago across Spain to once again raise money for disabled veterans. In 20 days he will run 500 miles from Eastern Spain to the westernmost point on a holy route that is over 1500 years old and once was traveled by ancient Romans and Celts. To learn more about Project America Run or to donate visit: www.projectamericarun.com.

Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition (OIWC):

Vasque is proud to be a Gold Plus sponsor of the OIWC, a non-profit association of women organized for the purpose of equipping women to reach their professional success in the outdoor industries via educational programming, networking and mentoring. OIWC acts as a vehicle to promote the views and interests of women engaged in or impassioned by the outdoor, snow sports, action sports, and bicycling industries. OIWC invites all women to become members and to lead our industries to positive solutions in business, social and environmental issues. www.oiwc.org

Vasque Athletes

		Duncan Callahan Vasque USA Running Team. Trains and lives in: Gunnison, CO. Competing since: Trail/ Ultra runs 2006 The Reason I Run: To breathe. To focus. To be inspired. To set goals. To achieve goals. To inspire or help others do the same. Trail Running beats road running because: Freedom. My biggest inspiration: People who 'get things off the ground'. People who have purpose, have an idea, and then follow through on it. My greatest achievement thus far: Leadville 100 2008 – 1st place. Most important feature in a trail running shoe: Comfort, performance, stability. I go through 13 pairs of shoes a year. What shoes are you running in now? Transistor Visit Duncan's blog
		Dan Dehlin Vasque USA Running Team. Trains and lives in: Marquette, MI. Competing since: 2004. Trail running beats road running because: life begins when pavement ends. Favorite post race meal and beverage: Gummi orange slices and a beer My biggest inspiration: My wife My greatest achievement thus far is: Course record @ Freestate 100k Favorite Vasque shoes of the moment: Transistors FS
		Chiharu Watanabe Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Kichijoji, a hip and cool town 15km west of central Tokyo. Competing since: 2003 The Reason I Run: The only activity that I do just for fun. Trail running beats road running because: Trail running gives me more visual, hearing and smelling senses of nature Favorite post race meal and beverage: Beer and meals that go with beer… My biggest inspiration: My son who is my trail running buddy My greatest achievement thus far: Winning the 1st trail running series in Japan in ’08. My goal for 2009: Finish Tour de Mont Blanc The most important feature in a trail running shoe: Durability, as I cannot imagine myself going down the mountain safely if my shoes broke. Pre-race ritual: Have my wife, daughter and son paint messages and pictures on my race jersey. My wife, who is very talented, paints beautiful race scenes and my kids keep me going with energetic messages. My son once wrote “you are injured, but it doesn’t hurt”. Favorite Vasque shoe right now: The Celerator
		Hiroshi Iijima Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Nagano. Competing since: 1995 The Reason I Run: FUN Trail running beats road running because: You never get bored and you fully enjoy nature. My biggest inspiration: when I run ridgeline of higher elevations, more than 3000m. My greatest achievement thus far is: Completing Japan Alps Race (420k). Goals for this year: Finish the Hasegawa Cup within 9 hours, 30 minutes Coolest thing I’ve seen on a run: Morning glory after running all night on Japan Alps. The most important feature in a trail running shoe is: Comfort My dream come true: Complete Tour de Mont Blanc One thing I can’t run without: Vasque Trail Running Shoes My Favorite Vasque shoe right now: Blur SL
		Naohide Ota Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Train in Kasukabe and Aichi and live in Nagoya, Aichi. Competing since: 2003 The Reason I Run: I enjoy running with my buddy. When I started, I was not good at running but I enjoyed the process of improvement. Trail running beats road running because: Good air in the field once you are out there. My greatest achievement thus far is: That I was in the competition of World Cyclocross twice, won at King of Otaki(MTB/ Trail Run 100k) in ’08 and Shinshiro 32k race in ’07. Coolest thing I’ve seen on a run is: Rugged scenery of mouth of an active volcano during my training. That was the most exquisite view I’ve even seen. The most important feature in a trail running shoe is: an ability to catch rugged trail conditions quickly. Also important to have a feature to prevent entry of any debris while running. During the race, lightweight is important too. Favorite Vasque shoe right now: Aether Tech, Aether Tech SS and Velocity – still perfect stability shoe ever!
		Hiroko Suzuki Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Kanagawa Competing since: 2004 My Favorite Vasque shoe right now: Blur
		Hitomi Ogawa Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Train in Hakone & Shonan Beach, Kanagawa & live in Fujisawa, Kanagawa. Competing since: 2004 The Reason I Run: that I can refresh and enjoy with juvenate my mind My greatest achievement thus far is: a winner of 08 OSJ Ontake Ultratrail 100K (Series races) Goals for this year: to win a prize on all races I enter Coolest thing I’ve seen on a run: having buddies to cheer me up when am having a hard time during trail races The most important feature in a trail running shoe is: lightweight and fit. One thing I can’t run without: pickled plum My Favorite Vasque shoe right now: Aether tech SS
		Satoru Kuboki Vasque Japan Running Team. Train and live in: Train in Okutama, Tokyo and Live in Chiba-city, Chiba. Competing since: 2005 The Reason I Run: because I want to run Goals for this year: revision of my own record on each race. Coolest thing I’ve seen on a run: a view from on top of Hinode peak near my house. The most important feature in a trail running shoe is: lightweight & good grip One thing I can’t run without: support from family My Favorite Vasque shoe right now: Aether Tech