• Dutch ultramarathon champion Sameena van der Mijden tests Temu running shoes to show runners that expensive gear is not required to start or compete in the sport.

• After noticing rising equipment costs were discouraging newcomers, she logged thousands of kilometers in budget models.

• She posts reviews showing models that have exceeded 1,000 kilometers without performance loss.

Sameena van der Mijden runs ultramarathons between shifts as an eldercare nurse in Arnhem. The 35-year-old Dutch champion began experimenting with lower-priced running shoes after watching gear costs push potential runners away from the sport.

Brand-name training shoes frequently cost around €150. Carbon-plated racing models often exceed €200. Van der Mijden wanted to test whether runners at any level could find functional alternatives at lower price points.

"Running is one of the most accessible sports there is, but it's becoming less accessible every year," she said. "I hear from people who say they want to run but can't justify spending hundreds of euros. I want them to know that price doesn't have to be the first barrier."

From struggle to podium

Van der Mijden came to running during a turning point. In 2018, after leaving an abusive relationship, she started running to clear her mind and rebuild confidence. She could barely cover 500 meters without stopping.

Seven years later, she holds multiple Dutch ultramarathon titles, races six to eight events annually and trains every day. Running became both a personal reset and a sport she now works to make accessible for others.

That experience shaped her approach to testing budget footwear. As she became more involved in competitive running, van der Mijden noticed how quickly equipment costs escalated for newcomers. She started looking for options that would let people begin running without significant upfront spending.

Testing lower-priced models in real conditions

Van der Mijden found running shoes on Temu priced between €30 and €40. She bought several models from different sellers, rotated them through training sessions and races, and documented her findings on social media.

Performance varied between pairs, which van der Mijden says is typical at any price level.

"That's normal," she said. "You always have to figure out what works for you."

One carbon-plated model earned a place in her regular race lineup. She wore it during the Spartathlon, a 246-kilometer ultramarathon from Athens to Sparta, switching halfway to another pair better suited for mountainous terrain.

Temu connects shoppers with independent sellers across more than 600 product categories. Many of the running shoes van der Mijden tested come from smaller or lesser-known brands that allocate less budget to celebrity endorsements, advertising campaigns and large-scale branding.

Lower marketing overhead allows some sellers to reduce prices while maintaining focus on functional design. For van der Mijden, that straightforward approach aligns with her philosophy.

Durability in several models exceeded her expectations. She said multiple pairs covered more than 1,000 kilometers without major drops in comfort or performance. Running shoes typically last between 500 and 800 kilometers depending on use, according to Runner's World.

After thousands of kilometers across roads, trails and mountain routes, van der Mijden says staying power matters more than spending power.

"You can have the most expensive gear and still quit early," she said. "Or you can keep going with much less."