Somewhere between kilometer 30 and 35 of the Berlin Marathon, you realize that the shoes you're wearing aren't going to run for you. And that's where Milkesa Mengesha, a 24-year-old Ethiopian, proved that you don't have to wear the latest technology to cross the finish meta in first place.
Mengesha, who surely did not stop to think about advertising campaigns or fashion slogans, won the 50th edition of the world's fastest marathon with a Nike Vaporfly 2 Yes, that model that came out in 2021 and that many will have already relegated to the back of the closet because the foam is not as fashionable as before or because the neighbor bought the new Alphafly 3 and, of course, you have to be up to it.
But there he was, stopping the clock at 2:03:17, reminding us that, in the end, it's the runner and not the shoe that makes the difference. Meanwhile, Haymanot Alew, also Ethiopian and third place with 2:03:31, was running in the brand new Nike Alphafly 3, a shoe that they say makes you fly. But it seems that this time it wasn't enough to overcome someone who decided to rely on the familiar, rather than jumping into the new just for the sake of it.
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In between the two was Kenya's Cibrian Kotut, who with his Adidas Adios Pro 4 proved that the three stripes are still a force to be reckoned with in the marathon elite. He crossed the meta in 2:03:22, just five seconds behind Mengesha. A heart-stopping race where it was clear that legs, heart and head outweigh any carbon sole.
In the women's category, the story was not much different in terms of the nationality of the winner. Tigist Ketema, another Ethiopian, took the gold with a time of 2:16:42. She did opt for the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1, those lightweight shoes that promise maximum efficiency on long runs. And vaya did she deliver. But beyond the shoes, Ketema dominated the race from start to finish, with no one even being able to shadow her.
Second place went to Mestawot Fikir, who with his Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris ( what a glamorous name for a shoes) finished in 2:18:48. And closing the podium, Bosena Mulatie crossed the meta in 2:19:00 with a Nike Vaporfly, confirming that this model is still the workhorse for many elite athletes.
The interesting thing about all this is that, in a world where we are sometimes obsessed with always having the latest of the latest as synonymous with success, these athletes have shown us that what really matters is what we have inside us, and not so much the type of running shoes (although let's not kid ourselves, they have run with top-notch carbon plateshoes ). Mengesha won with Vaporfly 2, yes, but also with a strategy and preparation that doesn't come in any shoes box.
The Nike Vaporfly 2, with its ZoomX foam and carbon fiber plate, is still a very effective shoe for those who know how to get the most out of it. While the Nike Alphafly 3, with all its improvements and futuristic design, proves that technology advances, but is no substitute for human effort.
The Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 and Pro 4, meanwhile, show us that there is life beyond Nike. That other brands continue to innovate and offer competitive options for those looking for something different.
And then there are the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris, which with their expensive perfume name invite us to dream of elegant and efficient races. But at the end of the day, it's Mestawot Fikir's legs that got her to second place, not the glamour of the name.
This edition of the Berlin Marathon leaves us with a clear lesson: it is not essential to have the latest to be at the top. shoes are important, of course, but they are only one part of a much more complex equation. One that includes discipline, training, strategy and, why not say it, some heart.
So the next time you're tempted by the glitz of a new model or the promises of the latest technology, remember Mengesha and her Vaporfly 2 Think that maybe what you need is not to change your shoes, but to run more, train better and believe in yourself.
Because in the end, the real engine is in the legs and in the mind of every runner. And that, my friend, is not sold in any store.
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