American brand Nike introduces EK Umoja collection

Long considered an individual sport, running for Nike athlete Eliud Kipchoge is a means to foster community and connection. In a partnership spanning 20 years, Kipchoge and Nike have pursued a common goal: to reimagine human potential and drive progress through running. This mutual mission finds expression in the newly released EK Umoja collection, the company announced in a press release.

"Umoja means unity in Swahili," Kipchoge elucidated. "This collection is a tribute to the collective efforts of the running community." The range includes five Nike running shoe models: the Nike Alphafly 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Nike Zoom Fly 5, Pegasus 40, and Nike Victory track spike. The apparel line features the Nike Windrunner jacket, Nike Rise 365 tee, Nike Stride 7-inch shorts, and a Nike Dri-FIT tee.

Each piece in the collection showcases colours and motifs that honour the early phase of Kipchoge's elite career, particularly his first World Championship in the 5,000 metres in Paris in 2003. The prominent use of red signifies Kipchoge’s Kenyan heritage and is a nod to the Nike Kenya kit he wore during his inaugural gold medal win. Sock liners in the footwear and select apparel items display his 2003 winning time of 12:52.79. A handwritten slogan by Kipchoge, “No Human is Limited,” graces the medial midsole of each shoe and every piece of clothing in the collection.

Kipchoge's athletic feats are unmatched. He is the first and only person to complete a marathon in under two hours, thanks to Nike's Breaking2 project. Holder of the world marathon record, a ten-time winner of world marathon major titles, and a four-time Olympian, Kipchoge has consistently medalled in every Olympic event he has participated in since Athens 2004.

Despite his elite status, Kipchoge remains deeply connected to the broader running community. He seeks to use his fame to encourage more people to take up running and to highlight the sport's many benefits, including its potential to forge deep bonds among participants. Nike and Kipchoge continue their commitment to transform the world into a running world, the press release concluded.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)