Kenya’s Peris Jepchirchir brought the marathon world to a standstill on Sunday, April 21st when she crossed the finish line in a time of 2:16:16, breaking the London Marathon record.

It is no secret that Kenya produces the best athletes in the world for long-distance races.

Meanwhile, during the London Marathon race, many people took an interest in something else: the shoes worn by Jepchirchir, which are designed to serve for only one race despite their hefty price tag.

Jepchirchir and Ethiopian Tigst Assefa wore the same shoes, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, which are priced at $500 (Ksh 67,2500 on the Adidas Website). Assefa wore the same shoes during last year’s Berlin Marathon, where she set the world record of 2:11:53. At that time, the shoes were retailing at Ksh 72,000 but have since reduced in price.

The shoes are enhanced with unique technology that challenges the boundaries of racing. Weighing 138 grams, the shoe comes with a new foam design that ensures it remains optimized for a race despite its weight.

Featuring a sizeable 39-millimetre heel, it has a first-of-its-kind rocker at the front of the shoe, allowing the runner to be projected forward at even greater speed and in a way that allows them to expend less energy.

The shoes are at the moment sold out on the Adidas website.

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