![Force For Good](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10190/379885/5db033c9f285d/Force-forGood.jpg)
CRITICS of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge described it as a ‘pantomime’ or ‘circus’ due to the fact it did not conform to the recognized rules of athletics. The only fun fair I saw in Vienna, though, was the large Wurstelprater amusement park that Eliud Kipchoge and his pacing team ran past several times on their way to breaking the two-hour barrier for the marathon.
The 34-year-old Kenyan ran 1:59:41 in a solo time trial using a pacing car and 41 elite athletes flitting in and out of the event to act as a wind shield. He also wore controversial new Nike shoes on a road that was resurfaced by the organizers to the tune of several million pounds.
For those reasons it will not be accepted as a world record and it has irritated the purists. Yet there are so many positive elements to come out of Kipchoge’s performance that I can’t understand why there have been so many negative comments about it in the past fortnight.
Some have questioned the estimated £15 million spent by organizers INEOS on the road improvements and general infrastructure involved in preparing Vienna’s Prater park for the event. Yet how much would it have cost to place such an inspirational story about running on the front pages of so many of the world’s newspapers and magazines, not to mention in the news bulletin broadcasts of television and radio stations in every corner of the planet.
Athletics rarely enjoys this kind of publicity. A total of 49 TV broadcasters aired the event to more than 200 territories with an estimated reach of 500 million people. The organizers’ own web stream has been viewed around 50 million times and soon after Kipchoge crossed the line he was the subject of five out of seven top trending topics on Twitter.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Carbon Footprint](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e9879946ea05/crp_Carbon-Footprint.jpg)
Carbon Footprint
You'd have had to have been running on a different planet to miss all the recent debate about carbon-plated shoes. The talk of bans and performance enhancement has been so widespread that even non-runners are asking their running friends about the potentially magical footwear.
Trail time
WHEN looking for a trail or off-road running shoe, it’s often all about the grip. However, given that no two paths are the same, careful consideration is required. What’s the terrain like where you’ll wear the shoes the most? If you’ll be negotiating soft, wet and muddy conditions then look for deeper lugs. For tackling gravel tracks and forest trails then more evenly spaced lugs will work better. When it comes to cushioning, consider how hard the ground will be; if it’s soft then you’ll be fine in low-profile shoes, but on those firmer tracks reasonable cushioning will be called for.
![Stay neutral](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e987de3ac26f/crp_Stay-neutral.jpg)
Stay neutral
EVOLVING every year, if not month, neutral cushioned shoes are seeing developments in cushioning materials and dynamics at a pace which is nothing short of astonishing. The latest models feature new polymers in the midsoles to give them a cushioned feel while at the same time keeping their weight to a minimum. Give them a spin and choose the most comfortable for mile after mile of shock absorbing running.
![Support network](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e988047bef5f/crp_Support-network.jpg)
Support network
WHEN it comes to ‘over-pronation’, a common question is ‘how much is over?’. With no hard and fast rules, it’s best to choose a shoe that instinctively feels right. Gait analysis can often assist in helping you make this choice and your specialist running store is always a good place to start if in doubt. To help you make that choice, here’s a selection of some of the best ‘support’ shoes around.
![Need for speed](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e98817863f44/crp_Need-for-speed.jpg)
Need for speed
THE racing shoe segment of the market is becoming somewhat split. This is partially due to the rise of carbon-plated footwear but also the fact that many shoes are becoming much lighter. Here we take a look at some of the leading contenders to toe the line in.
Gadget show
WITH technological products to enhance every area of life, running is now no different. From headphones to treadmills, the devices to aid performance and recovery are endless. Here we take a look at some of the latest gadgets and gizmos to enhance your training.
![What's in a shoe?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e986f5b007e4/crp_Whats-in-ashoe.jpg)
What's in a shoe?
We bust some of the jargon around footwear
![How To Prime Your Immunity](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/431194/5e7cbb7cbbe9c/crp_How-to-prime-your-immunity.jpg)
How To Prime Your Immunity
Taking steps to shore your body’s defences has never been more important. Here’s how to do it, says Peta Bee
![English Schools Survival At Stake](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/428266/5e734ea4c0928/crp_English-Schools-survival-at-stake.jpg)
English Schools Survival At Stake
Covid-19 could lead to ESAA losing thousands this summer
![Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10190/428266/5e734d7d28518/crp_Athletics-events-are-wiped-out.jpg)
Covid-19: Athletics Events Are Wiped Out
Unprecedented calendar changes due to Covid-19