Supershoes have a mighty impact on distance running - but are they fair?
Ahead of a big summer of sport, the athletics world is turning its attention to the increasing popularity of ‘supershoes’.
For years, a debate has raged over whether these have enabled marathon runners to gain an unfair advantage over their rivals. The controversy began in 2019 with the launch of Nike’s Vaporfly shoes and whether they enabled Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge to break two hours at the Ineos 1:59.
Over the last eight years, world records have tumbled in a series of races, knocking approximately 1.4% to 2.8% off men’s times, and 0.6% to 2.2% off women’s times.
To get a better understanding of ‘supershoes’, it is worth comparing them with more conventional footwear. In ‘supershoes’ the constituent polyamide block elastomer material (branded as Pebax) is bolstered by a carbon fibre plate, which has been cited as providing spring propulsion to wearers. While there is a growing consensus that midsole thickness or the reduction in oxygen consumption can give runners a performance edge, there is lesser understanding of exactly how this is achieved.
The sports regulators at World Athletics have certainly taken a keen interest, imposing restrictions on sole thickness, carbon fibre players and one-off designs that wouldn’t be fairly accessible. As footwear evolves, and leading brands such as Saucony and Adidas rush to launch their own ‘supershoes’, this is a debate that is unlikely to go away.
To find out more about the best running shoes for your needs, as well as receiving personalised marathon tips, talk to Maximum Mileage Coaching today to meet your individual training plan.
