It was a beautiful fall day in Wisconsin, Sunday, October 2. Three thousand people participated in the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon while thousands more cheered them on. While many hoped to qualify for Boston, a group of 62 runners (Jennipede as they called themselves) set out to set a Guinness World Record of the most people tethered together to complete a marathon.

The team was captained by Runner’s World’s “Mayor of Running” Bart Yasso and included ultra-running legend Roy Pirrung (Wigwam athlete). Many members of Jennipede had never completed a marathon before and in order to qualify for the record, all runners had to finish the race in the same order they started. I was advised there were a few sprained ankles, a fall and severe cramps along the way but perseverance prevailed and I’m happy to say everyone finished. A new Guinness World Record has been made!

In addition to the record-breaking attempt, Jennipede raised over $108,000 for the rehabilitation care for fellow runner, Jenny Crain. Jenny, a world-class runner, suffered serious head and neck injuries after being severely injured on August 21, 2007, when hit by a car while training for the trials prior to the Beijing Olympics. Crain was in her wheel chair alongside the group for the last .2 miles and was at the finish line to receive a check for the money raised.

Wigwam socks were provided to team Jennipede as well as many spectators at the event. It truly was a very inspirational day for everyone.

CureDuchenne is a grassroots effort to bring back focus.  We’re not here to create a profit-making organization.  CureDuchenne was started by parents whose only child has DMD.  If one son can be saved, there is hope for all.   

Over the past 6 months, the Wigwam Wig-L-Wam Wagon has been traveling the country to different events to help increase awareness about the brand and product. Last weekend the Wigwam Wig-L-Wam Wagon attended the Illinois Marathon and were involved in the 27th mile celebration. The Wigwam crew had racers and spectators "dancing their socks off" for a free pair of Wigwam's before, during, and after the race. Two days before the marathon, the Wig-L-Wam Wagon visited two local retailers, Champaign Surplus and Body n' Sole Sports. Below is a short testimonial from a guy who attended the promotion at the Champaign Surplus store.

(picture taken after summiting Everest)

Every day we all have the opportunity to meet somebody new and learn something about them. Maybe it is a new neighbor, or a friend of a friend, or someone you bump into while walking your dog. On some occassions though, you run into somebody that, flat out, makes you say, "wow!". Last Saturday, I had that moment when I was able to sit down and chat with Sean Swarner. Before meeting with Sean, I knew about his incredible story and I knew he was a survivor, a fighter, and more.

For those of you who don't know who Sean Swarner is, get to know him. Whether that be through reading his story, meeting him in person or following him on social media. This is one incredible man. Sean was diagnosed with two completely different types of cancer, once at the age of 13 and again at the age of 16 where he was given fourteen days to live and read his last rights. He astounded the medical community when he survived both these brutal diseases and a medical-induced coma. After beating both cancers, he realized that there wasn't any challenge out there that he couldn't handle or any peak too high. With that in mind, he crested the peak of the highest point in the world (Mount Everest) with only partial use of his lungs. As the first cancer survivor to do so, Sean decided to continue climbing and has since topped the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and North America.

Sean stopped into the Wigwam booth at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, UT and right away, the warmth of his personality and attitude humbled me instantly. With integrity, and honesty, he and I discussed possible opportunities for Wigwam to collaborate with his cause and potential sponsorship. Sean is the founder of a non-profit organization called CancerClimber, an organization that delivers hope through inspiration. The mission? To help those who have been touched by cancer focus on living an active, healthy lifestyle. Although we could have kept on chatting for another hour, I learned that there was so much more to Sean in the short time he was at our booth. The best thing about Sean? He KEEPS SMILING just as much as he KEEPS CLIMBING. His strong spirit mixed with deep determination is something that very few people have in this world.

Sean isn't just a cancer survior, he is an inspiration. Someone who touches hearts and minds every day. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Sean for the 2011 year and beyond. Please check out Seans website and be sure to donate to his cause at www.CancerClimber.org.

Hats (and socks!) off to you Sean! - Natalie

Sean's ESPN video
Sean's Livestrong video

 
Despite a suspected broken foot, Mimi Anderson, the 48 year-old long distance running grandmother from Smarden in Kent, added yet another achievement to her already impressive running palamares when she set a new world record of 403.81 miles for the ‘furthest distance covered on a treadmill by a female in 7 days’ on Saturday 23^rd October 2010. The new record was achieved despite the pain of a suspected broken foot and the consequent impact on her running efficiency and gait which led to the development calf muscle stress and of equally painful blisters.

Angie Sadler is a working mom, housewife, and Ultra Distance Runner. Angie has been running for a long time but has only recently been doing long-distances. Recently, Angie participated in her second 24 hour race representing England during the Perth Ultra Fest. She was first lady and 4th overall. She also achieved the qualifying standard for the 2010 World Championships and the 2011 Commonwealth games.

During all of this, she was outfitted in Wigwam socks. Wigwam is proud to be supporting Angie. Wigwam will be tracking Angie and her results throughout the year as she enters new races around the globe.

 A note from THE Marvellous Mimi Anderson. Wigwam is proud to have her wearing our product. Go Mimi!

PRE-RACE:
Let me describe to you this AWESOME race. The UTMB (as it is lovingly nick named) is a 166km (104 mile) race starting and finishing in Chamonix. It covers 3 Countries, France, Italy and Switzerland, there is more than 9,400m of positive ascent, all of which has to be completed in 46hrs! On the website the race is described as “ a great epic in a magical environment, Seven valleys, 71 glaciers, 400 summits...The Mont Blanc range is fascinating.” Who wouldn’t be tempted?

The UTMB is one of the classics of the Ultra world, it is the ultimate Mountain race. This year approximately 2,300 competitors have entered the event., ready to face the challenge of their life-time, of which only 7.3% are women. Runners will battle against fatigue, altitude, blisters, weather, sleep deprivation and hallucinations, but this is all part of the challenge, testing ourselves to the limits.

I have wanted to do this race for years and on the 27^th August 2010 at 6.30pm I will be standing nervously on the start line hoping that I have the stamina, courage and strength to get myself across the finish line.

My training is now done, have I done enough? I hope so!!! Kit needed for the race is laid-out on my spare-room bed, this is checked several times before I pack and when I leave for the airport on Wednesday I will stop the car a couple of times just to make sure I have my trainers with me. Sad but true!!!

As always I am raising money for Help for Heroes, every step I take is a step towards raising money for this fantastic charity. The men and women of the armed forces need our help and support, please give it to them. www.justgiving.com/Mimi-Anderson

RACE DAY:
Friday morning arrived, the day of the race.  My main worry at this stage was that I wouldn't make the cut offs, but I had been assured by everyone that it shouldn't be a problem, I couldn't take things easy but getting to the Check Points in the allocated time was within my capabilities.

The weather today was simply awful, it had rained constantly during the night and I don't mean just a bit of rain, it was tipping it down.  All the competitors received an SMS from the race organisers to say that the weather conditions for the race were going to be rain, wind and cold so we had to be prepared for these conditions - in went an extra long sleeved top into my pack!

Denise McHale placed 3rd OVERALL at the 100km Canadian Death Race August 17. Believe it or not, women were 2nd and 3rd in this trail ultramarathon in Canada, which boasts a worldwide reputation as one of the toughest trail races on earth. Here's her recap of the race. Yeah, Denise! We're happy to have Denise racing in WIGWAM socks.