The stage was set in 1936. Berlin would be the host of the Olympics. All eyes were on the Olympics and on Germany the country. A young sprinter from Ohio would upend the perfect story for the Nazi Party. He was black and he could fly. As the story goes, told in the movie Race, Jesse arrived in Berlin without spikes. His coach had ordered a pair from England to be delivered in Berlin, they didn't arrive. Somehow the coach heard about the Dassler Shoe Factory. Shoe history was made when Jesse Owens won 4 Gold Medals wearing spikes made by Adi Dassler (adidas). Full discloser here: I worked for adidas in Germany. I've had the great honor to hold those spikes in my hand. adidas has a museum full of shoes worn by champions. We spent a good 2 hours in the back room looking for inspiration.
New Innovation
It's fitting then that adidas is at it again. Today adidas athletes will attempt to break a 100K barrier. 6 athletes will attempt to run 100K in under 6 hours. To help them do this adidas has created the adizero Evo Prime X. Fifty mm of stack, 100% Evo foam, special carbon fiber rods. You can draw a straight line from the spike above to this shoe today. They are linked.
On Last Shot
The Diamond League 1500 in Brussels was fantastic. Niels Laros finished hard to win this fast race. Yared Nuguse and a couple others will be looking to win the final 1500 of the Diamond League to receive and automatic bid to the IAAF World Championships in Tokyo. Yared tried a different tactic in Brussels. He sat in and tried to kick his way to victory. That didn't work. Hopefully he has that extra step in his stride at the final. If he wins he goes to Tokyo, if he finishes 2nd he goes home.
Sydney Marathon
The Sydney Marathon is this weekend! This is the first time it will it will be run with the World Marathon Majors designation. It has a strong field of elite runners and this should be the largest participated version of the race. Marathon runners will not find this course "easy". It's full of turns and has a few good sized hills in it. Spirits will be high and the weather looks perfect for the race. We'll be there doing our work on the side of the course. When you smile and wave at the camera remember this, we are taking pictures of your shoes and may by chance catch your smile in the process.
