1. making it easy enough to zoom up steep hills and zip along flat roads at up to 35 km/h –
not as quick as a bicycle, but much faster than running. The machine is targeted at
runners to use in cross training. Coach Jenny Hadfield rode one of these machines 850k
from her home in Chicago to the start of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,
and said it was a powerful workout, but that the no-impact stride saved her legs. Some
top runners are using the ElliptiGO as a cross-training tool, and as a fun way to take the
gym outdoors. Available in green, blue and black, at elliptigo.ca.–MK
created the Runcuf with a soft, moisture-wicking inner lining
and reflective material on the outside of the cuff. It’s a comfort-
able and convenient way to carry a small collection of items as you
run – the cuff sits so securely on the forearm that you’ll barely
notice it’s there. It comes in five sizes and is available in major
running shops across Canada and at runcuf.com.–MK
Runcuf
Runcuf $35.50
With no fewer than four pockets, the ingenious Runcuf is like a
purse for your forearm. A zippered pocket holds a smartphone, a
mesh pocket fits an iPod, and two other interior compartments
offer space for cards, keys, money, lip balm or whatever else you
think you might need during your run. Some purists will scoff
at the idea of taking along so much gear on the road, but this
accessory has a definite appeal to those who like to run with
communications gadgets. Based out of Vancouver, the fashion
designer and engineer team of Susan Eskins and Stephen Cahn
Flight Apex Climateblock Full Zip
The North Face $170
This softshell from The North Face’s Flight Series is a well-crafted piece of
apparel for the outdoor winter runner who demands full weather protec-
tion, minimal weight and high performance. The Apex Climateblock is
fully windproof and is treated with a highly water-resistant, durable water-
repellent finish. Seams are cleverly taped with reflective fabric and strategic
stretch panels allow free-flowing arm and torso movement at any pace.
Finishing touches include a shaped collar to eliminate chin chafing, low
profile but highly effective elasticized cuffs, and a mesh pocket in the back.
This jacket performs so well in foul-weather running conditions that you
wouldn’t expect it to be so form-fitting and lightweight.–MK
8S
ElliptiGO$2,500
In a smart piece of retroactive logic,
someone finally figured out that, unlike
the rest of the cardio equipment at the
gym, elliptical trainers had no orig-
inal outdoor locomotion equivalent.
Treadmills took the place of road running,
spinning machines replaced bicycles and
rowing machines stood in for boats, but
the poor elliptical machine existed only in
stationary form – until now. The ElliptiGO
deftly sends the elliptical trainers concept
into motion with a machine that looks
like a cross between a scooter and a bicycle
with no seat. The rider strides forward on
a set of footpads that rotate in a horizontal
oval pattern, which propels the machine
forward through a unique drivetrain
hooked up to the rear wheel. There’s a free-
wheel to allow coasting down hills and
the eight-speed rear hub includes gears,
runningmagazine.ca 31
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