Kenyan athlete wins marathon while wearing sandals

The saying “No snooze button in the digital age” has never rung truer, especially in the ever-evolving world of athletics.

The athletic world has grown accustomed to being astonished by the release of sleek, modernized running shoes, with each innovation promising to shave seconds off times and push boundaries.

However, few could have imagined the technology would extend to marathon-ready sandals. And not just any sandals; carbon-plated running sandals.

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On Sunday 12 January, Kenyan marathoner Barnabas Kiplimo emerged as the winner of the 2025 men’s edition of the Khon Kaen Marathon in Thailand.

While the impressive performances by Kenyan athletes dominated the headlines, it was Kiplimo’s unexpected footwear that caught everyone’s attention.

The 28-year-old marathoner was seen crossing the finish line in sandals.

Kiplimo wore the world’s first carbon-plated running sandal, the Nirun, designed by Thai running brand VING.

While many runners have tested the limits of minimalist footwear over the years, VING has taken it literally, creating a sandal product for performance while allowing runners to feel free. The new Thai brand is taking sandal running to the next level.

According to the brand’s website, the motivation behind the Nirun was to “simplify the footwear industry” by creating the “world’s first super sandal.”

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Unlike most carbon-plated racing shoes, which have uppers made of lightweight fabric or sewn material, the Nirun’s upper and midsole are both made of proprietary foam.

The sandal features a full-length carbon plate within the foam midsole, designed to enhance cadence and provide responsiveness. The super sandal has a traditional thong-style flip-flop design, but its foam heel strap adds some extra security, almost like a Croc.

Although the super sandal might seem questionable at first glance, performances like Kiplimo’s give it credibility; at Khon Kaen, he improved his previous marathon best by eight minutes.

VING says they have launched a product testing camp in Iten, Kenya, one of the world’s premier training destinations for long-distance runners, and have been testing the super sandal on elite distance runners and marathoners in warm training conditions to evaluate its durability, performance, and speed.

The brand has a few prototypes for sale but remains in the testing and development phase.

“We are planning to launch a Kickstarter project in February with an updated version of the sandals,” the brand wrote on Instagram.

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They also plan to showcase their product at the 2025 L.A. Marathon in March.

Kiplimo crossed the finish line with a winning time of 2:18:55, ahead of Ethiopian runner Ebisa Kure Takele, who clocked 2:21:43 on Sunday 12 January in Khon Kaen.

Takele’s compatriot, Fekadu Tesfaye Degefa, completed the podium in third place with a time of 2:21:45.

In the women’s race, Kenyan athlete Mercy Jemutai secured second place with a time of 2:53:13, trailing behind Ethiopian Tsega Desta Mehari, who claimed victory at 2:52:11.

Another Kenyan, Elizabeth Chepkanan Rumokol, rounded out the podium in third with a time of 2:55:40.