Defective shoes cost Kipchoge record in Berlin

Eliud Kipchoge and his management team believe defective shoes most certainly cost him the world marathon record in Berlin on Sunday, but are quick to absolve shoe manufacturers Nike from any blame.

On Monday, Jos Hermens, the head of Netherlands-based Global Sports Communications Company that manages Kipchoge, further disclosed that the Kenyan star already had problems with the “Nike Streak 6” shoes just one kilometre into Sunday’s race.

And speaking to Daily Nation Sport from Berlin on Monday, Kipchoge strongly defended Nike, describing the “Nike Streak 6” he jointly developed with the American manufacturer as “the best one Nike have ever had.”

Kipchoge said he had spent about one year with the Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike research and development team developing the “Nike Streak 6”, his preferred brand of marathon shoes.

The “Nike Streak 6” is yet to hit the stores for the public. Kipchoge, also the 2003 world 5,000 metres gold medallist, added that the only hitch was that of the shoe’s linings (insoles) flipping outside.

“The shoe is really fantastic, and it’s the best one Nike have ever had. It’s only that hitch of linings flipping outside, otherwise I totally appreciate the Nike technicians for their effort and research, which last about a year,” said Kipchoge yesterday.

He added, philosophically and with a touch of good PR: “We have talked with technicians and even the highest authority of the (Nike) company. They are resourceful people. Remember, in life, challenges must be present and I urge my fans to run to Nike stores and grab this version immediately it’s out!”

Kipchoge braved the difficult circumstances to win Sunday’s Berlin Marathon in a personal best time of two hours, four minutes and one second, three seconds inside his previous best, despite the insoles of both his shoes popping out at the halfway mark.

Kipchoge was going for compatriot Dennis Kimetto’s 2:02.57 world record on Sunday, but the plot came a cropper after both insoles popped out at the 20-kilometre mark.

Kipchoge is, however, in contention for the World Marathon Majors title after having won the London Marathon last April in 2:04.42, incidentally wearing the same type of Nike shoes.

“Already, after the first kilometre, Eliud had problems with the shoes, meaning that he ran 41 kilometres in not too good shoes,” said Hermens who heads Nijmegen-based Global Sports Communications stable that also manages Ethiopia’s distance running greats Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and the new world marathon champion Ghirmay Ghebrselassie of Eritrea.

The company also handles Uganda’s Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich.

Kipchoge confirmed his manager’s disclosure saying: “It’s true (about shoe problems after one kilometre) and you know when you have set your thoughts on something, you should not give room to any destruction.”

Hermens spoke to the Nation from Addis Ababa where he is preparing for multiple world record holder Gebrselassie’s November 22 farewell race at the Great Ethiopian Run.

“I was not in Berlin but I spoke to Eliud last night and he was also a bit confused as he ran in the same type of shoes that he used in the London Marathon,” explained Hermens, a former European 10,000 metres champion and record holder.

“Eliud is a fantastic athlete and every time, he is in touch with the people in research and development at Nike. The question has been whether or not to glue the insoles.

He added: “But I’m sure Eliud can run faster because he is disciplined, focused and is a great athlete and I think he’s the one to beat the world record.”

Kipchoge noted that in his opinion, the Nike “Streak 6” shoes simply need to have the insoles glued. “The shoe doesn’t need any research again, it’s only a matter if glueing, and it’s done!” he said.