I been researching this a bit and can't find anything more to add, but did find this headline mentioned in a number of places:
Do you want your kids to run like Mo Farah? Then ditch their trainers for a pair of plimsolls
However when you click on the link its takes you to a 404 page on The Independent's site. I am assuming that this is an older version or a different headline version of the article in the Independent that we are discussing here.
I can see why they would want to not be embarrassed by the headline, given that >$2 million is going to be expended on his shoes and that the shoes he actually wears (Nike Air Pegasus) are well cushioned and not flimsy like the plimsolls that they were advocating in the article! .... go figure!
Maybe it's the frustrating day I've had (work & training wise)... but a "million-dollar running shoe"... for one guy... give me a @#$%*!! break! :bang:
My presence on this forum reveals I love running (I'm a runner)... my presence here also reflects my interest in running shoes (attributes, 'technology' thereof)... I certainly appreciate/respect the nature of the marathon (I run them)... I certainly appreciate/respect Mo Farah as an athlete (as well as his coach: ex-marathon world record holder - Salazar)... but all that money (even if half that) on a running shoe... for one guy... is a @#$%*!! joke! (even if the data of this research is later used to help the masses :confused: - which I'm dubious).
Back in 1969 Derek Clayton just went out there & did the job (2:08:33.6 - which is still world class)...
Anyway, probably best I go for a run to cool :cool: down.
You've tried running in shoes; you've tried running barefoot; now try running in one shoe.
I think it might be necessary to review the pricing structure, although with a bit more hype they might get enough takers prepared to take out a mortgage for a running shoe?
Seems Ben-Hur put up an historic post and the word "plimsoll" is making a come-back I'm going to continue the theme.
Here is Jim Peter's who in the early 50's broke the marathon world record 4 times between 1951 and 54 in fact his 1951 time was 5 minutes off the then current record.
Jim Peter's wore 50p Woolworth plimsolls and was noted for his particularly bad form.
He also used to wear his shoes on the wrong feet to try and improve form.
Anyway he's a forgotten hero and in this photo is happily heel striking away. Which is odd because according to many experts and the press heel striking only started in the 80'S
Sounds like the shoe and army boot I ran the Hana Relay in last weekend.
With 25 engineers on board and lab testing equipment it would not take too long to burn through $25,000,000 USD.
Although compared to the >$50,000,000,000 market value of the former Blue Ribbon Sports Company it may be just a blip of a few zeros.
If they can set a new marathon record it will be dwarfed by the massive marketing campaign to get other runners to anti up a few million for their personalized pairs as well.
It sure makes our $1253.00 shoe seem like a bargain...
One question hits me between the eyes... should the following assumed performance enhancing "piece of equipment" be allowed?
There are restrictions in other sports as to the influence of equipment in the sport i.e. cycling. If "a few minutes over the course of a marathon" is fair dinkum... then this is hardly fair for all the other competitors... particularly when these are custom made for Farah (hence not available to anybody else).
Hence the definite objective is to personally enhance his performance. Can this honestly be allowed... & should it be deemed a world record... particularly when fast times on the Boston course are not deemed "World Records"???
I wear Nike (Free 3.0 & Hyperfeel), I respect the marathon & I respect Farah as an athlete... but this issue bugs me (let alone the money being spent on it).
Is it really any different to countries spending millions on training facilities for athletes?
Or having specialized programs setup to enhance an athletes abilities?
Or buying the worlds best coach to train their athletes?
Every modern day sporting performance is enhanced in some way shape or form.
Everyone is looking for the edge!
Good discussion though!
Yes, I feel there is a difference Paul. Primarily because the focus is just on one athlete & his foot attire to enhance his performance in an event. As mentioned there is a legitimate issue of equipment enhancing performance which should be monitored (i.e. as with the likes of cycling); then the issue of Farah the only one privy to such multi million $ assistance due to his connection with Nike (i.e. his coach Salazar's long association with Nike)... then there is the issue of priorities/perspective with regard to the amount of money rumoured for the project. Now, there may be the possibility that some time down the track that we may benefit from such findings/research by Nike on this individual scenario... maybe.
In regard to your example of... "countries spending millions on training facilities for athletes"... true - but many do benefit from the investment... which does usually trickle down to the general public. In fact all the examples you mentioned does involve many individuals (to varying degrees) benefitting from the funding. I'm all for the enlightenment of scientific knowledge in enhancing human performance (keeping in mind the dire situations many on this planet live in).
Just a point of curiosity/trivia... as for... "buying the worlds best coach to train their athletes". Australia has had a history of issues in this area. Do you remember the issues with the appointment of Olympic/World Champion & World record holder Said Aouita (From Morocco) as our National Distance Coach (interesting the Wiki link makes no reference to the controversy - but they were made public... & I probably shouldn't say too much due to my personal insight). Then there was the appointment of East German Dr Ekkart Arbeit as Athletics Australia head coach in 1997 (as per this link - here - Dr Ekkart Arbeit, East Germany's throwing coach from 1982-88 & head track & field coach in 1989-90, presided over that country's systematic drug doping program... "Arbeit was also exposed as an informer for the East German secret police, the Stasi"... I take it in his spare time ;) :cool:).
Yes, almost everyone is looking for that edge (myself included) but at what cost (& not just financial)? Interesting discussion... I better now go for my run :D.
Don't forget us "Joe Joggers" will soon be nipping at your heels with our doctor perscibed orthotics made of spring levered composites. To bad your sponsors don't want to pursue this technology but
they will have to soonly...
A Hui Hou,
Steve
2014 USATF Competition Rules ● 52
3. (a) A competitor may compete in bare feet or with footwear on one or both feet. The
purpose of shoes for competition is to give protection and stability to the feet and a
firm grip of the ground. Such shoes, however, must not be constructed so as to give
the competitor any unfair additional assistance, including the incorporation of any
technology which will give the wearer any unfair advantage, such as a spring or
similar device. A shoe strap over the instep is permissible.
(b) The sole and the heel of the shoes shall be so constructed as to provide for the use of
up to 11 spikes. Any number of spikes up to 11 may be used, but the number of
spike positions shall not exceed 11.
NOTE: For Youth Athletics Javelin exception, see Rule 302.5(f).
(c) When a competition is conducted on a synthetic surface, that part of each spike
which projects from the sole or heel, must not exceed 9mm, except in the High Jump
and Javelin Throw, where it must not exceed 12mm. Competitors shall also comply
with any instruction from organizers as to length of spikes. For non-synthetic
surfaces, the maximum length of spike shall be 25mm. Each spike must be
constructed so that it will, at least for the half of its length closest to the tip, fit
through a square sided 4mm gauge.
(d) The sole and/or the heel may have grooves, ridges, indentations, or protuberances,
provided these features are constructed of the same or similar material to the basic
sole itself.
(e) In the High Jump and Long Jump, the sole shall have a maximum thickness of
13mm. In the High Jump, the heel shall have a maximum thickness of 19mm. In all
other events, shoes may be of any thickness.
2014 USATF Competition Rules ● 53
(f) Athletes may not use appliances, either inside or outside the shoe, which will have
the effect of increasing the thickness of the sole above the permitted maximum, or
which can give the wearer any advantage which would not be obtained from the type
of shoe described in the previous paragraphs. The thickness of the sole shall be
measured as the distance between the inside top side and the outside under side,
including the above-mentioned features and any kind or form of lose inner sole. NOTE: Orthotic inserts required for medical purposes are exempt from this rule.
I would love to watch it but I don't have Eurosports (presume pay TV)... looks like highlights of the Paris marathon are before it, starting at 5.15pm.
They will all be done with the race before I get out of bed on Sunday here in California.
Winning time:
2:03:55.....going to ..............Wilson Kipsang.....
Even though I think Mo Farrah's marathon debut will break the British record of 2:07:13, I doubt he will do better than 3rd in this star-studded race.
I think Mo will run about a 2:05.
Well we can't rule out anybody whoes surname starts with "Kip..." Hence I predict one of the Kips to win... keeping in mind, if "Kip..." isn't the surname... you might find it someplace else.
Anyway, my pick will be with one of the Mutai names - specifically: 1st - Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai (Ken) - course record holder (2:04:40 [2.03:52 in Chicago last year]) - he's been there & done it. Predicted winning time: 2.03:42 (don't we all like to beat our own course records). 2nd - Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai (Ken) - he wants to be the first guy with the Mutai surname home but Emmanuel's experience in London will do it. 3rd - Stephen Kiprotich (Uganda, albeit was Kenyan) has a great history for when it really counts i.e. Olympic - Gold & World Champs - Gold. 4th - Wilson KipsangKiprotich (Ken) - I can see why Dr Kev picked Wilson - he has two Kip names! Besides he has a marathon time of 2.03:23! 5th - Tsegay Kebede (Eth) - has Bekele's recent Paris win on his mind for Ethiopian dominance... then again, this may inspire him to better a "Track Runner's" performance. 6th - Mo Farah (UK) - despite the new shoes... & Coach Salazar's marathon tuition... when you haven't raced a marathon, well... you haven't raced a marathon (beware of the 36km zone)... still may have track running 'epigenetics'.
Dark horse: Haile Gebrselassie (Eth) - he may be the pace maker... but he has a sneaky streak in him... & could go for the win! Besides, he wants to knock Bekele off his new found pedestal.
Well my predictions were a bit off... sort of... one of the "Kip..." did win but it was Wilson Kipsang (who also has Kiprotich in his name - this is what did for him ;)). Got the course record in 2.04:29.
2nd: Stanley Biwott (KEN) in 2.04:55.
3rd: Tsegave Kebede (ETH) in 2.06:30.
However, there was a battle between the Mutai names (as I predicted)... with Geoffrey Kiprono Mutai (6th - 2.08:18) beating Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai by 1 sec. (7th - 2.08:19). Mo Farah 8th in 2.08:21.
Women: the "Kip..." went well here also.
1st: Edna Kiplagat (KEN) in 2.20:21.
2nd: Florence Kiplagat (KEN) in 2.20:24.
3rd: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH) in 2.20:35 - good debut marathon (with disobedient drink bottle :mad: !).
Mo Farrah' time?
2:08:21....off by 3:21
and he didn't break Steve Jone's 29 year old British marathon record after all!
Mo Farrah's place?
8th....well, I was right on that one also, but I thought he would run better in his home country.
However, like Matt said, running a marathon is a very different beast from running 5K and 10K track races.
However, how many people do you know that can run a 2:08:21 for their first marathon?
I think Mo did fairly very well, all things considered, and will eventually break Jone's record within the next 12 months.
So much for predictions...let's watch Wilson Kipsang do some fantastic running!!
So much for Alberto Salazar and Nike and all their time, money and effort....I don't think any of this hype and hyperbole made Mo a faster runner.
Now, wouldn't you have liked Nike take some of that money that they spent unsuccessfully on trying to make Mo run faster and put it back into the pockets of the poor factory workers who make their shoes for $4 per day??!!
With the 60th anniversary on the breaking of the 4 min mile by Roger Bannister here is an interesting article on the BBC website about the event.
There is a brief paragraph about how to break this barrier he also had footwear specially made for him but the article is a comparison of then and now and how apporaches to race day has changed.