This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
Vienna, Austria, is set to witness a historic moment in the world of athletics as Eliud Kipchoge attempts to become the first man to run a marathon under two hours at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge. The world marathon record holder is gearing up for the challenge wearing the latest model of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly shoes, the NEXT%.
The NEXT% shoes have been making waves in the athletic community, with Footpatrol estimating their price at 240 sterling pounds (Sh31,578) per pair. According to Footpatrol, the shoes boast improved responsive cushioning and a highly-efficient carbon-fibre plate in the midsole, allowing for unprecedented levels of propulsion.
As reported by The Telegraph, the effectiveness of the Vaporfly shoes has been so significant that some international runners have been caught wearing them under other brands in an attempt to conceal the Nike logo.
It's not the first time Kipchoge has relied on Nike's innovative technology. In 2017, as he prepared for his first attempt to run 42km under two hours at the Breaking2 project in Monza, Italy, Nike announced plans to make fast even faster by rethinking the traditional marathon kit.
Designers focused on five key areas: weight, fit, comfort, fatigue, and grip. They combined athlete body scan data with personal preferences to develop a custom kit tailored to each runner. The Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite shoes, featuring Nike ZoomX foam and a full-length carbon fiber plate, were custom crafted for each athlete.
Assisted by 30 pacers, Kipchoge finished the distance in 2 hours and 25 seconds at the Breaking2 project. The five fastest marathons in history in the last 13 months have all been run by athletes wearing the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly shoe, including Kipchoge and Ethiopians Kenenisa Bekele, Birhanu Legese, and Mosinet Geremew.
