Interesting articles. I took the liberty of leaving a comment on the Beeb, though my blatant plug for this place may result in exclusion.
I read a fascinating article in a dentist's waiting room last month regarding barefoot running. Here's links to a couple of related sites
http://runningbarefoot.org/
http://www.sportsci.org/jour/0103/mw.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot_running
There seems to be increasing evidence that barefoot running can lessen impact injuries - who'da thunk it? I met a chap during the TOM who was running (rather better than me) sans shoes. That was his 19th barefoot two oceans, to go along with his 19 completed barefoot Comrades, a snip at +90k on the road
