The Four Amigos Are Back in Business

After a spell of solo adventures and projects pulling everyone in different directions, the legendary quartet behind Hoof Hearted are getting the band back together. And it is rumoured they are recruiting new members…

And what better way to reunite and grow the team than by heading to Madeira for one of the world’s most spectacular trail-running events?

The Plan

The decision’s been made, we think? We’re in for the 51 km Discovery route. Long enough to hurt, short enough to (hopefully) still be fun. It’s the perfect balance of challenge and celebration: a lovely day in the mountains with 3,600 metres of climbing, ocean views, and enough banter to fill the valleys but not spoil them. Not sure how many crosses we will see on the peaks.

This isn’t just about the race. It’s about getting the team spirit back, shaking off the rust, and reminding ourselves why we love this madness in the first place.

Training Begins

Next up: the training plan, the WhatsApp chatter, the inevitable kit comparisons, and the occasional panic about gradients. Expect the usual mix of optimism, over-analysis, and under-prepared humour.

There’ll be miles, there’ll be moans, and there’ll definitely be a few post-run beers to talk about it all.

The Message to the Tribe and those that choose to join them…

The amigos are back. One island. One 51 km challenge. One big adventure to remind us all that shared suffering is a special kind of joy.

See you in Madeira. Maybe?

“The slipper that conquered the Highlands.”

When the mountain breaks you, only true gear brings you back.
Introducing the Jed II Thermal Zip Bootee — the most technically advanced recovery slipper ever to grace a human foot.

Built for those who run 51 km before breakfast, then still have to fetch the milk.

FIELD-TESTED COMFORT

Developed under extreme conditions — log cabins, service stations, and post-race pubs — the Jed II offers:

• Thermal fleece insulation for maximum toe morale.
• Precision zip entry system for fast transitions from trail shoes to sofa mode.
• All-terrain sole unit, gripping everything from polished pub floors to damp kitchen tiles.
• Heritage check pattern, inspired by the Scottish fells and approved by questionable fashion sense.

ANYWHERE. ANYTIME. ANY EXCUSE.

Not just for the home.
Not just for recovery.
From base camp to bedroom, fells to festivals, town to trail, down the pub or in the club: the Jed II is the only footwear trusted by elite Great Highland Way athletes who refuse to compromise between style and slipper.

Because recovery is not a luxury — it’s part of the training.
Because comfort is not weakness — it’s tactical regeneration.
Because every hero deserves a fleece-lined hug for the feet.

Team Hoof Hearted made it across the Alps in style last year. This was a perfect long weekend. 90km, 4500 metres of climb, two refuges and four friends. We will have to do it again this summer I think…

After a few years of R&R the Hoof Hearted team are back on the trail. We have new energy, a new member and a new plan.

Marc, Malc and Rich are joined by another Richard to take on the Alps. With a three day epic refuge route starting in La Nants heading over to Flaine and on to Chamonix. With just under 30 km per day, how hard can it be?

Malc has even bought new slippers for the trip, so this is serious stuff.

An Autumn of reflection and the realisation that there is no way on Earth that we could bag the points necessary to get into UTMB and we have adjusted our sites a little. This time we are going to try to get into TDS! A race in open country along the ‘Grande Randonnée’ paths crossing though the Mont-Blanc, Beaufort, Tarentaise and Aosta valley countryside. 121 spectacular Kms and 7300 m+ of ascent. The biggest hurdle is the ballot but with a bit of luck Team Hoof Hearted will once again be running the skyline – Courmayeur is calling see you there – 29th August 06:00.

Never! That was the first response to Lifelynes ridiculous suggestion ten minutes after we crossed the line for the CCC. Malc has never been so sure of anything in his life! You must be off your head! He calmly replied.

But as the days and weeks passed so too has the pain of the last 20km and the fatigue of a 24 hour race and the memory of the rain, mud, and umsk. So when the question was raised again “Perhaps” was the reply. Perhaps we will. Perhaps we are just that mad. Perhaps we should know better – we are not sure. So watch this space!

CCC not UTMB. OMG! A bit of a compromise but what the hell it was a day on the hills and a bloody good challenge.

Finally Malc, Lifelyne and Hack have managed to run together. (Gasp) Completing the Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix “jog” together. Rob managed to finish in ninth position two years ago whilst the three amigos pulled off a stunning 1191 position out of 2155 runners this time. Rob you would be proud! Crossing the line in 112 position in our age group (ancient), even Malc’s red mist played a role, managing to drive us across the line for a remarkable sprint finish, reeling in an octogenarian and other retirees as we hobbled to the finish.

What a remarkable day. Thanks Malc and Marc. You are genii!

We’ve been away for a while, with individual projects pulling the Hoof Hearted team in different directions. Lifelyne completed UTMB successfully and has been running and riding the legs of the Mallorca ironman. He is also supporting Malc as he goes for another West Highland Way record. Rob has just finished the Transvulcania  on La Palma Island in 9 hours putting him in 61st position and The Hack has just run across the Namib desert. But it looks like the team are getting back together and the Eiger Ultratrail becons on the 16th and 17th  July. Watch this space.