Should the alphaFLY be allowed at CIM?

Peter has had fake PRs since he got let go at the swoosh.

I don't think he should be allowed to wear them. I guess the Next% would be ok, since they're available to purchase to the general public. The AlphaFly isn't available to purchase, so it's unfair. If he's truly an OTQ caliber athlete, he should be want to qualify under the same standards/conditions/apparel as everyone else. I mean, there's a reason the St. George Marathon is no longer allowed as an OTQ race. I see these shoes as being no different.

First off, he's not an Olympic Trials caliber runner. Not even close. Dude has never sniffed fast times legally on a track or elsewhere. Secondly, the argument about AlphaFly not being able to purchase is irrelevant as you can't buy the Vaporfly versions from NB, Saucony, and Asics.

I would be really hesitant to wear them now. I was at CIM last year and at least one of the guys from the Bowerman Elite had them on, if not more. I believe Peter did. However, he was using the Next% at Boston '19. But yeah, given the controversy, it would be a bad idea to show up with those on. I have seen people wearing those Alphafly prototypes at LA Marathon and a couple other races as well, looked like normal wear test participants.

And ultimately I think it would be on the other racers to protest. ie. if John Doe wins CIM in an Alphafly prototype and 2nd and 3rd places etc don't file a protest to the race organizer, then it's on the other racers. Until that starts happening, nothing will be done.

Worth noting. It was said before Breaking2 that Tadese, Kipchoge and Desisa had custom Vaporfly Elites made up with carbon plates designed specifically for each runner. I believe that's also the shoe Kipchoge used to set the WR. Does that mean his record is void and Bekele is the champ?

Peter is gonna kill it and OTQ, regardless of the shoes btw.

you think Bekele doesn't have custom vaporflies? the greatest distance runner of all time?

Your friend should not use the AlphaFlys (or whatever they're called) at CIM. If he can't qualify without pogo sticks attached to his feet, then he shouldn't be allowed to run at the trials. 2:27 is still a hell of a good time, and he should be happy knowing that's his true physiological limit.

reed wrote:

you think Bekele doesn't have custom vaporflies? the greatest distance runner of all time?

You need to specify distance. Maybe greatest 5k and 10k runner. But not half and full marathon greatest.

Just wear them and paint over it like some other dude from non Nike sponsored did!

Bekele's vaporfly elites and recent Next% are also customized.

Well if the shoes really work which I’m not sure if they do then I think it would be bad form. It would be hard to brag about your PR if it was really the shoes. I think he should race in Next or 4%.

Beter Promka wrote:

Asking for a friend. He's a legit 2:25-2:27 guy, and a good runner. However, last year he got close to the OTQ standard while wearing Nike prototype "shoes" that are now currently being debated as an unfair competitive advantage (i.e. the alphaFLY). Should my friend wear the alphaFLY shoe at CIM, knowing that only with these shoes will he have a chance at qualifying for the Trials? Or is this unfair, knowing that the vast majority of runners aiming for the OTQ won't have access to these shoes?

So most top woman can smoke him. That's some "good' runner, and you have very "high" standards to define a dude with a laughable 2:25-2:27 as a good marathoner.

Let me fix this for you..."Asking for a friend. He's a legit 2:25-2:27 guy, and sort of a good pacer for some top woman".

You are very welcome!

Do these shoes really make a 2:25 runner a 2:19? 6 minutes?

It’s the technology...so being unable to buy the ASICS or Brooks or NB copycat shoes is not relevant.

doctorj wrote:

So most top woman can smoke him. That's some "good' runner, and you have very "high" standards to define a dude with a laughable 2:25-2:27 as a good marathoner.

Let me fix this for you..."Asking for a friend. He's a legit 2:25-2:27 guy, and sort of a good pacer for some top woman".

You are very welcome!

Didn't expect such pompous arrogance (or trolling) to come from a registered account. You're a simpleton

Without using the alphaFly, your "friend" would have no business attempting to run under 2:19. Regardless of the outcome of the race, myself and about 7 total other people worldwide look forward to reading your "friend's" 18,000 word essay on how he "deserved" to qualify for the trials.

Bzzzzt. wrote:

Bekele's vaporfly elites and recent Next% are also customized.

Dennis Kimetto is still the king!

I'm glad this has finally gotten some attention. I like to read Bromka's writing, but I have found it most curious not once has he ever written about the shoes he has worn. You see, he was among the very first prototype testers in 2016 so his huge drop in times for the past 3 years have come in VF's and then alpha flys in the past year or so. I'm not saying he should or should not wear them, I just find it a bit disingenuous that he has never once talked about them in relation to his drop in times. We know they have contributed, but it would be most interesting to hear his take on them since he has been testing and racing in them since day 1. Do I think he would be sniffing 2:19 in streak 6's? No way in hell. But top runners aren't racing in those anymore so it doesn't matter, I just want to hear him admit how much they have helped his performances.

(this thread though, just a tiny tiny bit cruel?)

I'm no Bromka fan but if there's a shoe/course that allows a 15:30 guy to OTQ, I suggest let it happen because that's "Exhibit A" right there for banning the methods used?

2:25 huh wrote:

Do these shoes really make a 2:25 runner a 2:19? 6 minutes?

That's about a ~4.14% difference. If the AlphaFly is indeed a step up from the 4% (proven to boost performance), which it sure seems to be, 6 minutes should be no big deal.