Spring-assisted runners grab the headlines, but only last half the race

simon — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:02:11 -0600

News media were wetting themselves with excitement at an outrageous marketing coup, but I'm wondering just how great an advertisement it was for the controversial Spira spring-heeled shoes to send two Kenyans out in front wearing the bright yellow flats -- only to see them drop out after 92 minutes of running.

Maybe the springs in the shoes don't give quite enough advantage?

See this video newscast to catch the hype. (The site plays an ad before going to the newscast.)

Boston runners will use 'banned' spring-assisted shoes

simon — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 22:41:54 -0600

Make sure you check what Kenyan Joseph Sitienei runs at Boston. The 32-year-old Kenyan sub 2:20 marathoner is the most well-known of a clutch of athletes who plan to run in the banned Spira shoes that feature energy-return springs in the heels and forefoot.

The move comes hard on the heels of news that Spira Footwear has filed a lawsuit against the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) and the United States Association of Track and Field (USATF), alleging that their Rule 143 -- which allegedly bans spring technology -- is a restraint on trade.

Runners who have used the shoes claim that they don't necessarily improve times, but are just mroe comfortable. However, thsoe claims took a knock recently when, as Spira reports: "Keith Pierce, a track coach from Krum, Texas, and a US Olympic trials hopeful, competed in the shoe at the 2007 Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, Texas. He won the race by over 12 minutes."

Running at YourRunning.com - Spira

Spring-assisted runners grab the headlines, but only last half the race

Boston runners will use 'banned' spring-assisted shoes