crooked tongues magazine News Features

We need to get up and actually do some running at some point. Given the vast stacks of performance running shoes we've amassed and our expanding bellies, there's no excuse. But we don't want to bore the rest of the world by automatically telling you what times and distances we conquered on Nike+ yet running can be a lonely activity — especially if you're a rookie. That's where our buddies at Run Dem Crew come in.

We've chatted to RDC founder Charlie Dark a lot over the last few years and since founding the project in late 2007 its gone to strength to strength — Charlie was once like us. He took up running out of necessity to shed some pounds and became an addict, but he's not annoying with it and his evangelism for the sport is infectious. So much so that the Run Dem Crew is growing daily, meeting at Nike's newly revamped 1948 space weekly to go for runs grouped to accommodate everyone, from the newcomers to the annoyingly fast. Mr. Dark is one heck of a motivator and there's plenty of scope to learn about training, nutrition and mingle with some creative characters.

Run Dem Crew isn't a running club - that's all magazine subscriptions, funny flasks and fluorescent vests. It's just a group of likeminded people who like running, linked by a quest for self-improvement. There's a difference. Whatever your scope for speed or distance, there's the Tortoise, Hares, Greyhounds — and for the really speedy — the Cheetahs, there's a division, and age isn't a limit. Oldies and Youngers alike can better themselves. Jesus, we're selling the concept to ourselves right here. Perhaps we might take it to the tarmac some time soon.

We've been waiting to see a Run Dem Crew shoe from Nike for a little while — a RDC Lunar Eclipse would be particularly good — but we thought this iD version of the Nike Free Run+ 2 handed out to those Crew members who ran the London Marathon was a great idea. It works in their signature colours and adds some necessary touches for visibility but also shows the scope of what's doable on the iD options for this model — the best new Nike shoe of the year this far until the Autumn drops from Nike Running. Attempting a marathon in the Free Run+ 2 would be suicide, but as a training tool leading up to the big day, it's a strong choice. That finishing time on the pictured pair is Mr. Tom Scott's 4:27 achievement, but it's worth listing the achievements of eight members of the Run Dem Crew who completed the London Marathon and received these commemorative Nike Frees:

Charlie Dark: 4.08
Caroline Moorhouse: 3.48
Mark Gurney: 3.27
Lawrence Lartey: 4.05
Abi Griffiths: 3.40
Tom Scott: 4.27
Abby Mclachlan: 4.37
Algy Batten: 3.41
Terry Stephens: 3.05

Salutes to all. You can go from slouch on the couch to lithe running machine with some self-discipline and less lager, and if you're interested in joining the Run Dem Crew, visit www.rundemcrew.com — runs commence at 7:30pm on the dot every Tuesday at 1948.