ATHLETICS
Chicago Marathon 2023 – Hi-tech footwear debate
October 8, 2023 - The Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the fifth of six annual World Marathon Majors events, takes place. Ethiopian Tigst Assefa smashed the women’s marathon record in Berlin, but the new supershoe she wore reignited debate about its effect on race times.
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Adidas unveiled the 138g ADIZERO Adios Pro Evo 1 in September, claiming it to be the brands’ lightest ever supershoe. The shoe features innovations such as the forefoot rocker which triggers forward momentum and improves running economy, and Lightstrike Pro foam providing greater energy return.
The flat, fast Chicago course begins and ends in Grant Park and athletes will enjoy the support of 1.7 million spectators as they run through 29 city neighbourhoods.
Emily Sisson, U.S., returns to Chicago after breaking the North American record in 2022 with a second-place finish. Ten of 12 continental records -- for both men and women -- have been broken since 2018.