Details of Sheila Chepkirui's New York City Marathon winning shoes
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 07.11.24. | 21:13
Mozzart Sport looks at the details of that shoe which turned heads during the event
Sheila Chepkirui clinched her first World Marathon Major title at the 2024 New York City Marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:24:35.
Chepkirui’s impressive time helped her edge out defending champion Hellen Obiri, who finished in 2:24:49, with Vivian Cheruiyot completing the all-Kenyan podium.
Coming into the race, Chepkirui held the fastest personal best in the field at 2:17:29, which she set in her marathon debut at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. Since then, she has demonstrated her growing prowess, finishing second in Berlin and fourth in London last season.
This victory, attributed to her strategic prowess and unrelenting dedication, was also powered by her choice of footwear: the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. This is a high-performance marathon shoe designed for top-tier competition.
Mozzart Sport looks at the details of that shoe which turned heads during the event.
The high-tech shoe is designed to enhance speed and efficiency. Set to retail in January 2025 at around Ksh32,250 ($250), this shoe is built with marathoners in mind.
According to Adidas, the Pro 4’s midsole features a carbon-infused layer, engineered to deliver a smooth transition from heel to toe and a responsive, “snappy” stride. The shoe’s design also incorporates a new rocker point, which optimizes running efficiency over long distances.
One of the standout elements of the Adios Pro 4 is its dual-layer Lightstrike Pro cushioning. Adidas describes this foam as ultralight and durable, providing energy return that helps athletes maintain their pace and reduce fatigue.
Chepkirui’s shoe also featured Continental™ rubber on the outsole, known for its superior grip, which supports stability and traction during critical toe-offs, even on wet surfaces.
“A double layer of our best-in-class ultralight light strike pro ensures cushioning for every quick stride an athlete takes and helps one maintain energy over the long term.
The shoe also rides on an outsole built with Continental™ rubber for a no-slip transition during toe-off and it is also designed to reduce weight without sacrificing the grip," Adidas described the shoe.
While the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is celebrated for its performance features, it is not without drawbacks. Some runners report that the upper is a bit short, putting extra pressure on the toes.
Additionally, the shoe’s midfoot is somewhat unstable, and though the heel lockdown has improved, there are occasional issues with slippage and rubbing.
Adidas’ reputation for pushing the boundaries in long-distance running shoes continues to grow. Earlier in 2023, Tigst Assefa wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, another groundbreaking shoe, to break the marathon world record in Berlin.
Chepkirui’s win in New York added yet another success story to Adidas’ lineup of marathon shoes.
