(Picture Credit: Nike)
Hi and welcome back to the Mohsin Salya blog, where I share tips, advice and news on all things running.
Earlier this week, sports giants Nike announced the launch of an ambitious project –Breaking2. This is, in simple terms, a plan to break one of running’s most difficult tasks – the two-hour marathon.
Way back in 1954, Sir Roger Bannister ran the first four-minute mile – redefining what athletes are capable of. Nike’s plan is to do this again with their new initiative. The current marathon world record for men, from The International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) was set by Dennis Kimetto of Kenya at 2:02:57 in 2014. This breaks down to 4:41 seconds per mile. In order to run 1:59:59 or faster, a pace of 4:34 per mile will be required. This is a full seven seconds per mile, or 2.5 per cent, faster than the current record.
Nike now wants to reduce this record by three per cent, to “explore whether the impossible is within reach”. After more than two years of research, preparation and testing, three top distance runners have started their build up towards a sub two-hour attempt. Hoping to be able to accomplish this in Spring 2017, they are Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea. The exact timing and location have yet to be finalised, with the details expected to be released next year.
In order to maximise the chances of success, Nike have brought together a team of passionate world-class experts across science and sports. This includes professionals from the world of biomechanics, coaching, design, engineering, materials development, nutrition, sports psychology and physiology.
Brad Wilkins, director of NXT Generation Research in the Nike Sports Research Lab, says: ‘We know that we need to break the two-hour marathon. That’s a defined outcome. So now let’s take a step back. What do we need to understand scientifically? What are the problems that we need to solve?’
As well as working on improving the Athletes themselves, Nike is also using this opportunity to work on a footwear solution that is specific to breaking the sub two-hour marathon. Nike has said that it began the full-commitment to the challenge in the summer of 2014, when the Breaking2 team was formed. Extensive research and development has been carried out over the past two years in order for Nike to reach the point now where it feels it can start delivering performance benefits.
I personally can’t wait to see if this will be a success or not.
Until next time,
Mohsin Salya