I did the same as kid in NZ. No snakes or spiders to worry about, weather is mild, why not?
Now I heel-toe as I'm a dancer, but running is another story
We moved back to NZ where I grew up, and our kids went to a 50-person primary school with not a pair of shoes in sight. You learn where the patches of prickles are and avoid those bits of the grass. (Data point: the prickles are in the same places at the beach and community hall as they were 40 years ago when I were a lad)
I grew up in Coopers Beach, and did everything barefoot (including Rugby and school!)