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HOKA elite athlete training camp in pictures

More than 50 of our elite athletes came together last weekend to live, sleep and breathe all things HOKA ONE ONE at our annual training camp in Mallorca.

A number of our star-studded athletes from road, trail and triathlon, including Susie Cheetham (pictured above), headed to the Hotel Viva Blue in Muro for an action-packed weekend and chance to meet the rest of the HOKA family.

The weekend started with a run. How else? Our trail athletes epitomised the “go everywhere, run everything” attitude as they put the Speedgoat 3 through its paces on their Friday morning shake-out run. It was the perfect leg-loosener before spending a couple of hours in the classroom.

Our athletes listened in as they learned the story behind HOKA ONE ONE. They heard how radical change often comes about in trying to solve a simple problem – and how redesigning a shoe that helps an athlete tackle 100 miles in challenging conditions can actually help all runners perform.

We do things differently – as trail athlete Harry Jones discovered. As well as learning about the patented elements that influence every shoe we build, the entire team was introduced to the latest HOKA products and exciting innovations.

Breaking out of the classroom – and reaching for the sky. There was just enough time on Friday afternoon to head down to the beach for a flying group shot to celebrate International Women’s Day and our boundary-breaking HOKA athletes.

And it was all smiles throughout the rest of the weekend as our athletes were papped in the latest HOKA products in cool and inspiring locations across the island. One weekend. One team. One HOKA family.

Photo credit: PEIGNÉE VERTICALE

HOKA fan Louisa joins Dementia Revolution in London

Louisa Davidson would never have considered herself a natural-born runner. But, after failing to get on with running 10 years ago, Louisa has completed two half marathons in the space of six months and is now training for her first attempt at the full distance in London next month. Read on to find out her story, what makes her a Dementia Revolutionary and why she’s the perfect example of if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

My story starts just over 10 years ago. I tried – and failed – to start running in an effort to lose weight, but 5k was my absolute limit and I hated how it made me feel. Running was hard work, extremely sweaty and I ended up with bad shin splints. I desperately wanted to enjoy running but I truly believed that some people were born runners – and I just wasn’t one of them.

Fast forward to 2018, however, and I decided to give running a second chance.

Life-changing decision

My older brother had started ultra-running and I agreed to crew for him at the West Highland Way race. I was just in awe of his running achievements and, in the months leading up to the event, I made what has turned out to be a life-changing decision – I entered my very first half marathon.

In the beginning, the training was very challenging, but quitting was not an option. I quickly found that the fitter I became, the more I enjoyed running, and I started to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could be a runner after all.

By October 2018, I had completed two half marathons and started to believe that a marathon was within my reach. But I needed something to give me that final push to enter.

Becoming a revolutionary

I had heard about the Dementia Revolution through the London Marathon. They are the official charity partner this year and the campaign really struck a chord: my grandpa lived with dementia in his later years. When I found out that my application had been accepted, I felt truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to become a part of the Dementia Revolution, yet absolutely terrified at the huge training task ahead.

But living on a small Scottish island, I am blessed with beautiful scenery and fresh, sea air. It’s hard not to be inspired. I no longer run to burn calories or lose weight. Running for me offers an escape from day-to-day life, it gives me time to properly appreciate my surroundings. It’s the perfect spot to train for the marathon.

Running in grandpa’s memory

I’ll be running the London Marathon in my grandpa’s memory. I hope that he will be looking down on me and cheering me across the line on the day. Over 1,400 Dementia Revolutionaries are signed up to run in London and the money we raise for Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society will help fund the UK Dementia Research Institute.

I hope that we’ll find a cure for dementia in my lifetime and I am so incredibly proud to be a part of the Dementia Revolution this year.

Louisa is running to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society. Alzheimer’s Research UK are the UK’s leading Alzheimer’s research charity aiming to defeat dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia support and research charity, there for anyone affected by any form of dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can follow Louisa’s journey on Instagram @lourunslondon and help her towards her £2,500 target by visiting her Virgin Money Giving page.

Breaking down barriers for mental health and wellbeing

Simon Vaisey was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy until he started to experience mental health issues during his second term of university. Thanks to the help and support of his family, friends and the charity, Samaritans UK, Simon was able to take a step back, speak up and find his way forwards again. Read on to find out more about his story and why he’s now tackling 50 marathon events in 50 weeks to raise awareness for mental health charities.

“50 marathon events? In 50 weeks? Are you mad?”

If I had a pound every time somebody has said that to me over the last year, I’d be a very rich man. But every so often, an idea can come in to your mind that you can’t let go. This has certainly been one of those ideas. It’s an idea I started putting into action on 9 September 2018 – and one that has seen me tick off 20 marathon events since.

“But why 50 marathon events in 50 weeks?” I hear you ask.

Well, before I started this journey, I had run one marathon and three half marathons in my 24-year existence. Now I’m attempting 30 marathons and 20 half marathons in consecutive weeks. I wanted to challenge myself further, set myself a goal that seemed unobtainable, push my body to its limits.

Facing up to the challenge

And it won’t just be about the physical act of running a marathon. Some might think that a long-distance event is predominantly a physical challenge, but as any seasoned runner would know, it is also very much about the mental battles you face along the way.

These long-distance events will see me tackle challenges I would never have dreamed of facing, as well as raise awareness of the value of good mental health and wellbeing for everyone.

I hope that by giving this challenge a go, I can help people realise they can break through any barrier they feel might be in their way.

Why now?

Let me take you back to where this all began.

I have always been a happy-go-lucky kind of person, continually positive and pretty laid back. Nothing ever phased me, and life was, for the most part, pretty good to me. Fast forward to January 2015, though, and life took a 180-degree turn.

I was beginning my second term at university. Things weren’t going great, factors that were both in and out of my control were the forces of this change. Without family and a secure network around me, my mental health declined rapidly.

Speaking up

At first, I can’t say I really noticed. It was when I went home to visit those closest to me that I realised something wasn’t right. But I carried on as normal as possible, thinking it would blow over. But it didn’t.

I decided to move back home and sit my exams later on in the year, so I could take proper care of my mental health. Through self-care and immeasurable support from my friends and family, I came out the other side.

I was fortunate. Through first-hand experience, I can vouch for the number of people who aren’t lucky enough to have such a support network, who don’t seek help, especially boys and men. Whether it’s down to embarrassment or a lack of understanding, people don’t feel like they can speak up.

Raising awareness

However, there are a number of charities, organisations and individuals changing this, using their voices to bring attention to these issues.

Did you know that 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems are not given appropriate intervention? Through tackling 50 marathon events in 50 weeks, I hope that the awareness and funds I raise can support the provision of a more rigorous support network for young people in our schools, colleges and universities.

The support I received was critical. Now I want to try and give back, so more people can benefit and feel that they can speak up about mental health.

Simon is running to raise awareness for UK mental health charities, Samaritans UK and Mind. Samaritans UK reach out to more than half-a-million people a year through their work in local areas across the UK and Ireland. One area of work that is particularly close to Simon’s heart is called Step by Step, which provides practical support and guidance to help school and college communities prepare for, and recover from, a suspected or attempted suicide. Listen to Simon discussing his challenge on BBC Radio Oxford.

You can follow Simon’s journey on Instagram @simonjamesvrun50 and help him towards his £3,000 target by visiting his Virgin Money Giving page.

High-profile athletes join star-studded team for 2019

Host of high-profile athletes sign on the dotted line to join star-studded HOKA team for 2019.

Leading triathletes David McNamee and Susie Cheetham (UK), Anja Ippach (Beranek) and Nils Frommhold (Germany), and Denis Chevrot (France) have joined the team for the year ahead, while the acquisition of French trail-running stars Audrey Tanguy amd Marie Perrier adds further strength to our trail roster.

Download the full list of 2019 HOKA ONE ONE EMEA athletes

Our European athletes delivered the best-ever year for HOKA ONE ONE in 2018, with 106 victories and 183 podium finishes across road, trail and triathlon. With more strength and depth added across all disciplines, it promises to be another boundary-breaking year.

Triathlon

More than 39 international and national-class athletes now make up our impressive team of triathletes for 2019.

Rejoining the triathlon stable this year are UK talents Emma Pallant (pictured below ©James Mitchell) and Joe Skipper, German sensation Boris Stein (pictured bottom of the page ©Peignée Verticale), leading French athletes Manon Genet, Charlotte Morel and Cyril Viennot, popular Swede Patrik Nilsson, Italian Alessandro Degasperi and Spanish athletes Saleta Castro, Enneko Llanos and Emilio Aguayo.

Teaming up with HOKA from January 2019 is IRONMAN UK champion and two-time IM World Championships bronze medalist, David McNamee.

“It’s been incredible to feel my legs fresher than usual after hard workouts. This, with the brand’s desire to continually improve, has me looking forward to the years ahead.” David McNamee

The 30-year-old from Scotland, who also finished second at the IM 70.3 Barcelona last year, has run sub 2:50h marathons in all four of his Kona appearances and clocked the third-fastest time (8:01:09) in Kona history in 2018.

“I’m really excited to start my partnership with HOKA,” says David (pictured below ©James Mitchell).

“Having tested the shoes over the past months, it’s been incredible to feel my legs fresher than usual after hard workouts. This, with the brand’s desire to continually improve, has me looking forward to the years ahead.”

Fellow Briton Susie Cheetham is another marquee signing who brings a wealth of talent and experience.

“Several of my heroes have had some of the best ever IRONMAN run performances wearing HOKA, and I’m incredibly excited to play my small part in such a superstar team.” Susie Cheetham

Susie has competed at the last four IM World Championships and has six podium finishes at various IM events to her name. She has no fewer than five victories over IM 70.3 distance and has recorded an IM marathon time of 3:00:47.

“Having trained in HOKA ONE ONE for some time now, I really love how my body has responded to the shoe,” explained Susie.

“Several of my heroes have had some of the best ever IRONMAN run performances wearing HOKA, and I’m incredibly excited to play my small part in such a superstar team.”

Breaking boundaries

Two high-profile German triathletes are partnering with us for the first time. Former IM 70.3 European champion, Anja Ippach, boasts five IM event wins and a fourth-place finish at Kona, and has made HOKA her footwear choice this year.

“HOKA stands for innovative shoes and we share the same mindset of daring to push boundaries,” says Anja (pictured above ©Martin Rehm). “It’s great to have a shoe partner who believes in me and who helps me to run faster, further and longer. It’s very much ‘Time to Fly’.”

Joining his compatriot within the HOKA ranks is Nils Frommhold. The 32-year-old has five IM wins to his name, as well as a top-six finish at Kona.

“It’s great to have a shoe partner who believes in me and who helps me to run faster, further and longer. It’s very much ‘Time to Fly’.” Anja Ippach

Another established triathlete that will run with HOKA for the first time this year is Frenchman Denis Chevrot. Denis has competed in the last four IM World Championships and has racked up an impressive nine podium finishes over IM 70.3 distance.

“I’m really happy to join a young and creative brand which is always innovating to improve its products and the performance of its athletes,” says Denis. “I am sure it will help me to run at the next level and my global results will be better. I am proud to join the HOKA family”.

Trail

In 2019, there will be more than 24 European athletes representing HOKA across national and international trail events.

The team includes existing HOKA athlete Amandine Ferrato. Amandine (pictured below ©Peignée Verticale) will be joined by exciting new additions Audrey Tanguy and Marie Perrier. Between them, they make up the top-three female trail runners in France.

Audrey rose to prominence after winning the TDS race at last year’s UTMB.

“I’m so excited to become a new member of HOKA’s family in 2019,” says Audrey. “For me, HOKA is one of the most important brands in trail running. First for research and technological advancement in trail running shoes, and secondly for all the famous athletes inside the team. I’m sure that we’ll live great adventures together in the future – in France, Europe and the United States.”

“For me, HOKA is one of the most important brands in trail running. First for research and technological advancement in trail running shoes, and secondly for all the famous athletes inside the team.” Audrey Tanguy

Former UTMB winner Ludovic Pommeret, two-time Grand Raid de la Réunion champions Julien Chorier and Andrea Huser, and Germany’s Ildiko Wermescher are also on the world-class team.

Another key new addition to our team of trail athletes is Harry Jones. The Welshman, who boasts 48,000 YouTube subscribers, has won numerous ultra-trail races across the world, including The North Face 100 in Thailand and the TransLantau 100 in Hong Kong.

Road

Split across half marathon, marathon, cross country and track disciplines, our road team will consist of 13 athletes in 2019.

The team, headlined by international marathoner Benjamin Malaty from France and German marathon champion Frank Schauer, also includes Tokyo 2020 hopeful Thea Heim (Germany) and a breadth of established UK road runners.

Download the full list of 2019 HOKA ONE ONE EMEA athletes

Photo credits: James Mitchell, PEIGNÉE VERTICALE, Jacky Everaerdt (Activ’Images) and Martin Rehm

Marathon man training in the home of champions

German international and HOKA elite athlete, Frank Schauer, has been training at high altitude in Iten, Kenya in preparation for a spring marathon. Find out what training Frank has been up to over the last few weeks, what it’s like to train at altitude and why it is such an inspiring environment.

It’s the third time that I’ve been to Iten, Kenya as part of my marathon preparation. Iten is the stronghold of running. You see hundreds of Kenyans as well as athletes from all over the world training here every day. Among them are Olympic medallists, world champions and national record holders. It’s a very inspiring environment.

I choose to come to Iten as it is at high altitude, around 2,400m above sea level. It’s a great place to build the aerobic base for the marathon. There are not many places in the world where you can train at this altitude. It’s also very tough terrain but the environment is varied. It’s hilly and is filled with difficult trails. Back home in Magdeburg, Germany, I run a lot of my kilometres on the streets and the only climbs are bridges!

I’m in Kenya with some of the best marathon runners from Germany and sometimes we train with marathon runners from Switzerland too. My day starts at 6:00am. Usually, we start training around 7:00am, depending on which workout is planned. We train for around two hours, then at 10am, I have some breakfast and afterwards take a nap. Lunchtime is around 12:30pm. I then go to get a massage before training starts again at 4:30pm. At 7:00pm, we’ll have dinner at the hotel restaurant before having a chat and playing some cards. I tend to go to bed around 10:00pm.

I’m doing a lot of ground work in Kenya, running between 200-230km every week. There haven’t been any special workouts, although tomorrow morning I will go on the track to do intervals. The workout is: 8x1000m (faster) alternating with 7x1000m (slightly easier). I’ll aim to run the faster ones at 3.15/km and the slower, recovery ones between 3.50-4.00/km. Last week I did it in 3:18s and 4:05s. Now I have to go a bit faster.

It’s tough to do the quality workouts on a dirt track. The ground isn’t even and it has stones and potholes. You have to concentrate on how you set your foot the whole time, and get more tired because of it. I have never felt very good while training at such high altitude. But I know that I am getting some good work done – and usually it has paid off in the end.

In my downtime here, I don’t do much besides sleeping. Training is hard and there is not too much to do. Sometimes I just enjoy the view. It’s good to concentrate, but sometimes it can get a bit boring. Some athletes have problems with their stomach because of the different food and lower hygiene standards than we’re used to in Europe. If you are in Europe, you can’t believe how good it is for us and how fortunate we are in comparison.

The kids are so inspiring in Kenya. They come running with you if you pass them and they are happy. Every kid asks “how are you?”. It is a bit annoying after a while, but also adorable. Even if you run past their home, the children run to the fence and ask you. I think that must be the first sentence they learn in English at school. Sometimes they also just call us “Mzungo”, which means “white men”. Truly, Kenya is another world.

Photo credits: Frank Schauer