Is It the Shoes? 9 Days, 5 Men, 7 World Records
Over nine days, five men shattered seven world records, leaving me, like many others in the running world, asking one question: Is it the shoes? Or are we witnessing a new era of human performance, fueled by relentless training, cutting-edge technology, and perfect conditions?
It all started on February 8 at the Millrose Games. Grant Fisher kicked things off with an incredible 7:22.91 in the men's indoor 3000m, smashing the previous world record. His smooth stride and smart pacing made it look almost easy. I couldn't help but wonder if this was just the beginning. Sure enough, Yared Nuguse followed with a stunning 3:46.63 in the men's indoor mile.
Five days later, Jakob Ingebrigtsen took things to another level in Liévin, France. He ran the mile in 3:45.14, breaking Nuguse’s fresh record. What really blew my mind was his 1500m split—3:29.63, another world record on the way to the mile finish. I’ve watched Jakob race for years, but this performance had me thinking: Are we witnessing the best miler of all time in his prime?
Then came Valentine's Day, and Grant Fisher was back at it. This time, he broke the men's indoor 5000m record in Boston, clocking an astonishing 12:44.09. Sub-60-second laps, one after another.
Just when I thought the wave of records might slow down, February 16 brought two more amazing performances. In Kobe, Japan, Toshikazu Yamanishi stormed to a 1:16:10 finish in the men's 20km race walk. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, Jacob Kiplimo made history in the half marathon, blazing to a 56:42 finish. I've followed Kiplimo's career closely, but this performance truly cemented his status as one of the greatest distance runners ever.
Naturally, everyone started talking about the shoes. Were they the secret behind these incredible performances? I looked into what each athlete was wearing. Grant Fisher and Yared Nuguse were both racing in the Nike Dragonfly spikes, known for their Pebax plate and ZoomX foam, delivering maximum energy return for middle and long distances. Jakob Ingebrigtsen was laced up in the Nike Air Zoom Victory, a lightweight spike built for efficiency. Yamanishi likely wore ASICS race walking shoes, designed for stability and flexibility. And Kiplimo? He was flying in the Nike Vaporfly Next% 3, the go-to choice for elite road runners chasing fast times.
So, is it the shoes? All have been approved by World Athletics. It’s tempting to think so, but I believe the reality is more complex. Yes, today's super shoes, with their carbon plates, advanced foams, and featherlight builds, undoubtedly contribute. But I've been around this sport long enough to know that technology alone doesn’t break records. The foundation is still the same—grueling training, meticulous race preparation, and sheer determination.
Nine days. Five men. Seven world records. Whether it’s the shoes, the training, or a perfect storm of conditions, one thing is clear: the boundaries of human performance continue to be pushed. As someone who’s watched this sport evolve for decades, I can’t help but feel fortunate to witness history in the making.
posted Wednesday February 19th
by Bob Anderson