Nike's sub-2 attempt will be run on F1 course in Milan - Kipchoge tests it out and runs 59:17

what's the point of this sub 2 goal?

we all know pheidippides already broke 2 hours EASILY.

and

Would Nike please just tell us what about the attempt will be illegal?

Here's how the pacing went.

https://twitter.com/sweatscience/status/839147360269778944

I assume they'll just have two groups of rabbits??

Alex Hutchinson of Runners World said it was very windy

https://twitter.com/sweatscience

Why do they keep leaking out small amounts of information like this? And what do you guys think of the venue choice?

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ALH359 wrote:

$250?! for a racing flat? This is too funny.

rojo wrote:

Montego wrote:

Why in the world would Kipchoge even take part in a dumb, gimmicky event like this? (Yes, I know, $) But to waste a marathon effort at this point in his career on something like this is foolish. He should be in London, not on formula one track in Italy. Whatever happens here won't be certified anyway.

I have been saying this all along.

I would also rather see Kipchoge run against Bekele & Co. in London, but think of it from his perspective. Aside from setting the WR, what more could he achieve in his marathon career? I figure he gets a boatload of guaranteed money and has some fun with the sub-2 project and then comes into Berlin in the Fall in WR shape. Why would he not take that deal?

1:58:58!!!!! They did it!!

rojo wrote:

I just wish they would tell us what the hell they are going to do .

Why so angry?

Lol. Thanks for the laugh.

Everyone should read this article, before posting.

The fact that Rupp wore them in the olympics. As far as I was aware there is a rule that you should ensure that all equipment is available to all athletes. Olympic spirit! Supposedly adidas had to stock a warehouse with Jeremy Wariner spikes at one olympics in case any other athlete requested them.

some questions:

@ROJO: Referencing your recent article claiming that Kipchoge is still the GOAT vs Kipsang. Is Kipchoge still the GOAT now we know that he had an advantage (fair or unfair) at London (P.B.) and the Olympics.

The close berlin result is another great example as Kipsang wore the standard adios boost 235g and Bekele wore the 4%. Does this account for the 9 second difference?

Anyway as an engineer working on this topic for adidas, I love the banter!

rojo wrote:

I just wish they would tell us what the hell they are going to do . If the only gimmick is a car pacing them or rabbits hopping in or out, then I'm fine with a "how fast can we run attempt".It won't be anywhere close to 2:00:00 but he's certainly capable of breaking the fastest time ever run if he basically ran a marathon on the track.

But they stated very early on "This won't be record eligible" and here we are 3 + months later and we still don't know what is going to make this ineligible for a WR attempt. Please tell us . Now. At least two of my fears - downhill or a motor/spring in the shoe appear to no be it.

I'm not at all "fine with a 'how fast can we run attempt.'" If it results in a sub-2 performance, it will forever diminish the achievement of the first legitimate sub-2 marathon, since it's very clear that most people -- even most moderately enthusiastic running fans -- don't appreciate the distinction between a legitimate marathon time and an aided performance. (Consider, for example, the performance of G. Mutai at the 2011 Boston marathon, which was often cited as the fastest marathon ever run, and which the Boston race organizer sought to have recognized as the world record. And Ryan Hall's performance there has frequently been described and advertised as the fast marathon ever run by an American, with Hall himself claiming to be a 2:04 marathoner, thereby diminishing the superior accomplishments of the U.S. record holder.) To me, it's appalling that Nike is seeking to rob the world of the excitement of witnessing one of the landmark achievements in the sport, apparently for no better reason than to grab a little more publicity for its latest shoe models. If the people at Nike truly cared about the sport as much as they care about short-term profits, I don't think that they would be doing this.

rojo wrote:

Would Nike please just tell us what about the attempt will be illegal?

My guess is they will need pacers for the entire run, and that will end up being the "illegal" part.

The guy that researched the energy return on the special shoes for the attempt wrote a research paper about ways in which the attempt could be successful.

Avoiding wind resistance is key, and the only way they could have pacers who support for that long is to break the IAAF rule of having people jog a few laps then jump in periodically when needed.

Here's the link to the paper:

They really just need to make the World Championships for the Marathon on St George get hella sponsorships for the race for a huge prize pool this year and stop looking for an alternative course. Let ALL the competition show up and see who / what shoes break the record. More competition publicity and coverage will promote a faster time.

Moses Mosop said he preferred slightly undulating courses too, adding something along the lines of what you wrote.

We know the runners, the course, and now even the shoe. So, when will they release the ped cocktail? Hopefully a RW feature will be up soon.

Avocado's Number wrote:

To me, it's appalling that Nike is seeking to rob the world of the excitement of witnessing one of the landmark achievements in the sport

The audacity of it all!

jewbacca wrote:

Avocado's Number wrote:

To me, it's appalling that Nike is seeking to rob the world of the excitement of witnessing one of the landmark achievements in the sport

The audacity of it all!

Actually, Avocado's, normally we're in agreement but not in this case. Assuming legal shoes and legal course, so long as they don't tie Kipchoge to a pace car, I would LOVE to see him break 2:00:00.

So long as he does it under his own power, it will be exciting. They can swap out as many pacers as they like, throw all the advertisement at their shoes that they want, and if he breaks the barrier it will be amazing.

To me it won't take away from someone accomplishing it under standard conditions.

hugh jonson (the third brojo) wrote:

I read that to mean the total elevation for the 1/2 mary will be 18 feet.

Some press about the shoes

http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoes/is-this-the-shoe-that-will-break-2-hours-in-the-marathon

Im a wear tester for nike and I have tested the "new" foam in the commercial version. It is bouncy.