Hasset Kifle accepts her awardMark Lewis/Mark Lewis Photography
The world is moving forward at an unimaginable rate, with the rapid progression of technology leading this bullet train into the unknown. The innate need for humans to constantly find the next best thing has percolated into the world of sports, too, where technological advancements are raising the question: how far is too far?
Running is an integral measurement of our physical and mental capabilities. It is a sport that thrives on immense competition: athlete versus athlete and athlete versus time. It has also become a playground for world-leading brands.
“Technology doping” is a term used to highlight the competitive advantages afforded by high-tech sports equipment, and it has forced a notable perspective shift on what it means to be an athlete. The top 10 fastest marathons by men and by women were all run in the past seven years, apart from Paula Radcliffe’s race in 2003, as were the top 10 half-marathons.
Why is this the case? It is, at least partly, because of shoes – footwear so effective they have been dubbed “super shoes”. Rigorous testing, in the lab and on the world stage, has provided clear evidence of how these shoes enhance an athlete’s performance. Four factors are key: the shoe’s midsole foam, a shock absorber that cushions the feet from the impact of hitting the ground; a curved carbon-fibre plate (a rigid insole in the midsole designed to increase the efficiency of each stride); the overall stack height – the amount of material between your foot and the floor; and the breathable “upper” covering the shoe, intended to keep the foot cool and dry. These different components work together to produce something lightweight, highly cushioned and flexible to maximise the energy returned to the athlete to propel them forwards, all while minimising the amount of energy exerted by the person themselves.
