Sam Stow wins 2022 Beerwah Daybreak marathon wearing sandals

Buderim father Sam Stow has won a marathon run over a 4WDing course, stunning other competitors at the Sunshine Coast hinterland event over the weekend.

Sunshine Coast runner Sam Stow completing the Beerwah Daybreak marathon in Sandals. Picture: Steven O'Keefe/SOKImages

Buderim father Sam Stow has won a full 42km marathon wearing just sandals in a left-field bid to inspire others to run comfortably.

Stow, 41, took out the 2022 Beerwah@Daybreak event with a time of 3:42:26 on Sunday, December 4.

He said the on-course reactions and comments about his chosen footwear were humorous.

“The race starts at 4am so before the race it was dark and people didn’t see my sandals but during the race I got plenty of comments saying ‘where are your shoes or you forgot your shoes’ which was funny,” he said.

“No one really knew I was planning on doing it in my sandals which I think was more so if I chickened out but I was very glad that I did it in the end.

“It’s a very rocky course with a lot of grooves as it’s full of four wheel driving or trail bike tracks so it’s not particularly friendly terrain to run on but that’s what it’s all about and that’s what makes it fun.”

Sunshine Coast runner Sam Stow completing the Beerwah Daybreak marathon in Sandals. Picture: Steven O'Keefe/SOKImages

The Pop!Running coach and software developer said his achievement was just another personal challenge he was proud of overcoming.

“I was originally inspired by the Born to Run Book by Christopher McDougall and immediately began trying out the minimalist thing of running barefoot, in FiveFingers shoes and sandals,” he said.

“I like doing these things to test myself and I only ran four minutes slower than what I ran in 2021 when I was in normal shoes and very fit.”

Stow said he had also completed a marathon on his home treadmill barefoot.

He said he was most amazed with how well his body recovered.

“I went running on Tuesday in the Noosa trails in the sandals again and I felt great and I think it’s been the best recovery I’ve had from one of these events,” he said.

“That’s another reason why I’m so passionate about teaching people to improve their technique and encouraging them to use their body naturally.”

Originally published as Sam Stow wins 2022 Beerwah Daybreak marathon wearing sandals