It is well known that Ethiopian, Abebe Bikila, won the 1960 Rome Olympic Marathon while barefoot in 2:15:16.
However, did you know that Bikila also won the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Marathon, breaking the world marathon record, running 7 second per mile faster in shoes in a time of 2:12:11?
Furthermore, did you know that during that Bikila was heel-striking his way to the world record during the 1964 Olympic Marathon?
Don't believe it?
Then look closely from 2:45 to 3:11 into the video at his footstrike pattern.
Have a look also at one of the frames I have taken out the video to demonstrate Bikila's world record setting heel-striking running form.
Clearly, the evidence shows that heel-striking running is used by many elite marathoners....even Abebe Bikila!!
In fact, Bikila had every intention to run the 1960 Rome Olympic marathon shod.
The reason why he ran barefoot was because on the day of the marathon, Adidas could not provide him with a pair of shoes that felt comfortable!
It always amazed me how everyone talked about the Rome Olympics when the results from Tokyo speak for themselves. Have read Bikila's autobiography and from memory it states that he didn't run in the shoes provided for the Rome Olympics as they didn't fit right. With regard to the 2hr marathon I did recently read an article that mathematical models how a sub 2hr marathon is possible. It states "the fastest time for the marathon predicted by this model is 1.57.58 in a hypothetical subject with a VO2max of 84ml.kg.min, a lactate threshold of 85% of VO2max and exceptional running economy." (Joyner, M.J. Modelling: optimal marathon performance on the basis of physiological factors, 1991)