Cape Town Marathon: ‘Super-shoes’ have been tumbling world records
Over the past two weeks marathon world records have been shattered and the focus has been not so much on the athletes, but their shoes.
Marathon records have tumbled in both the men’s and women’s races, capturing headlines not only for the remarkable athletes but also for the role played by so-called ‘super-shoes.’ Ahead of this weekend’s Cape Town Marathon, this footwear phenomenon has been creating quite a buzz in the running community.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa smashed the women’s marathon world record in Berlin on 24 September in a time of two hours, 11 minutes 53 seconds – taking two minutes 11 seconds off the record set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in 2019.
Former 800m specialist Assefa was wearing Adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes.
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In another remarkable feat, Kenyan long-distance runner Kelvin Kiptum set a new world record at the Chicago Marathon at the weekend, completing the race in a stunning 2 hours and 35 seconds – 34 seconds faster than the previous record set by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in 2022.
Participating in only his third marathon, Kiptum now boasts three of the six fastest marathon times in history. He was wearing what World Athletics call Nike Dev 163 trainers, which Nike has confirmed are their Alphafly 3 shoes.
WHAT MAKES IT A ‘SUPER-SHOE’?
These world record-breaking achievements have sparked discussions around the impact of advanced running shoes, commonly referred to as ‘super-shoes.’
World Athletics has been striving to keep pace with the rapid advancements in footwear technology in recent years. In January 2022, they introduced a new set of regulations aimed at ensuring fairness and maintaining the integrity of the sport.
These regulations specify that shoes used in competitions must be available to all athletes participating in applicable events. Furthermore, there are technical requirements for aspects like sole thickness.
Nike’s Alphafly 3 shoes have received approval from World Athletics for developmental use until December 3. Nike has announced that these shoes will be made available to consumers in 2024.
The Alphafly 3 shoes have a unique design with features like stiff plates or rods embedded in the midsole, often made of carbon, to help maintain the shoe’s shape and a curved midsole geometry aimed at propelling runners forward.
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While the weight of the Alphafly 3 shoes is yet to be confirmed by Nike, Adidas’ Adizero Pro Evo 1 shoes weigh in at just 138g and are said to be 40% lighter than any other racing super-shoe Adidas has ever created.
Adidas say these shoes incorporate a novel forefoot rocker that triggers forward momentum, thus enhancing running economy.
The debate surrounding these advanced shoes and their potential impact on athletic performance is far from settled. Some argue that these high-tech shoes offer a significant advantage, while others emphasise the importance of athletes’ hard work, training techniques, nutrition and support from sponsors.
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It is evident that while the shoes may provide a boost, they don’t negate the need for athletes to be highly skilled and dedicated. As marathon running continues to evolve, there’s growing interest in the pursuit of breaking the elusive two-hour barrier for a marathon, especially with the 2024 Paris Olympics approaching.
CAPE TOWN MARATHON
South Africa is looking to join the ranks of elite marathon countries worldwide at the Cape Town Marathon, taking on its second year as an Abbott World Marathon Majors Candidate.
As Africa’s first World Marathon Major, the race takes place on 15 December and takes in multiple views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, historic landmarks, as well as many famous attractions and the hustle and bustle of Woodstock.