The Eternal Run

Runners took to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to discover what would happen when there were no barriers to hold them back.

- Lionel Kong

What can you achieve when you take away the mental and physical constraints of a ‘finish line’? ASICS wanted to find out, and in September, researchers invited runners from around the world to take part in a controlled test to find out. While partly a promotional campaign for the new ASICS Glideride shoes, the test shed some interesting insights on the psychology of long-distance runners.

The event was conceptualised and monitored by a group of leading experts, including sport scientist Professor Samuele Marcora from the University of Bologna, data analysts from the Runkeeper app, coaches and the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS).

At the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, North America, 22 runners across a range of abilities explored how energy-saving technology can assist them in a race format designed to create a level playing field. Runners essentially took part in the ultimate race against themselves.

Mechanics of the Race

Each runner was tasked to run at their own optimal pace for as long as they could, while their physiological data was monitored, along with their performance every step of the way. Experts looking on, analysed improvements in their personal performance and measured their vital health stats to keep them safe.

In advance of the run, participants logged a series of runs, via the Runkeeper app integrated with Garmin 245 devices, to calculate their perceived level of effort and establish their own optimal pace and predicted distance. In the pre-race briefing, runners were advised they had three strikes relating to the maintenance of their optimal pace and were notified if they went above or below their pace, so they could adjust. After the third strike when they had consistently dropped below their pace, the run would be ended.

The Results