[nerder92]

It was never about the runner, it has always been about technology and innovation. Shoes tech is just one of them. Better nutrition, novel training techniques, better air quality etc.

Of course innovation in shoes will have a bigger marginal impact (because physics).

[jampekka]

Can't help but think that the wins and records done barefoot and without refreshments in the 1960s are still a bit more about the runner than running with essentially spring loaded shoes, lab-optimized nutrition gels, computer optimized pacing strategies and multisensor real-time measurement devices.

It's also somewhat ironic for a race supposedly modeling a messenger running the distance in an emergency situation.

[Ekaros]

Also makes wonder question did the messenger participate in hard cardio training before. Meaning the fighting. Or do some messengering before.

[bbcc90]

For sure but most of that innovation pre-super shoes was optimizing the runner, not the shoes

[foxglacier]

Of course it's also about the runner, that's why the Kenyan models dominate with their biological innovation.