Interviews
Footwear firm Spira launches 'Banned in Boston' for Marathon
07 Nov '05
3 min read
Footwear firm Spira Footwear announced that it is offering a $1,000,000 prize to any runner who can win the 2006 Boston Marathon and get banned in a pair of Spira brand shoes.
Spira footwear has been banned for competition by USA Track and Field and the International Amateur Athletic Federation on the basis that it's WaveSpring Technology provides a competitor with “additional assist” as prohibited by USATF and IAAF rule 143.
Andy Krafsur, CEO of Spira footwear stated that they are introducing a campaign called 'Banned in Boston.' They are attempting to bring attention to an outdated and unfair rule, and have some fun at the same time.
Krafsur informed that this rule places their shoes in the same category as steroids and other performance enhancing banned substances. The truth is that the shoes actually allow runners a more enjoyable competitive experience by reducing peak impact forces and returning energy. As their shoes are widely available, and provide no known health or safety risk, there should be no prohibition against their use in competition.
Krafsur stated that if they apply same logic that underlines this rule, all track events should be run as they were in the movie “Chariots of Fire.” Races should be held on Cinder as opposed to tartan tracks and racing shoes should be comprised on leather straps with heavy spikes embedded therein. Pole vaulters should be using bamboo, not high tech carbon fiber poles.
Spira footwear has been banned for competition by USA Track and Field and the International Amateur Athletic Federation on the basis that it's WaveSpring Technology provides a competitor with “additional assist” as prohibited by USATF and IAAF rule 143.
Andy Krafsur, CEO of Spira footwear stated that they are introducing a campaign called 'Banned in Boston.' They are attempting to bring attention to an outdated and unfair rule, and have some fun at the same time.
Krafsur informed that this rule places their shoes in the same category as steroids and other performance enhancing banned substances. The truth is that the shoes actually allow runners a more enjoyable competitive experience by reducing peak impact forces and returning energy. As their shoes are widely available, and provide no known health or safety risk, there should be no prohibition against their use in competition.
Krafsur stated that if they apply same logic that underlines this rule, all track events should be run as they were in the movie “Chariots of Fire.” Races should be held on Cinder as opposed to tartan tracks and racing shoes should be comprised on leather straps with heavy spikes embedded therein. Pole vaulters should be using bamboo, not high tech carbon fiber poles.
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