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Former Marathon National Record Holder Kengo Suzuki Speaks on the "Nike Alphafly 4" and "Nike Apex"
Kengo Suzuki is a former Japanese marathon national record holder. The time he clocked in 2021 was 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 56 seconds—marking the first time a Japanese runner broke the 2-hour-5-minute barrier. In October 2025, he left Fujitsu to begin his career as a professional runner.
In the Tokyo Marathon this March, he finished as the second Japanese runner with a time of 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 9 seconds, securing a spot in the 2027 MGC (the Japanese Olympic marathon trials for the Los Angeles Games). We spoke with Suzuki, who continues his training with sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics, about his choice of shoes.
Often Favoring the "Nike Alphafly" Series for Races
While Suzuki has chosen between the "NIKE VAPORFLY" series and the "NIKE ALPHAFLY" series depending on the race, he remains strongly associated with the "Alphafly." In fact, he was wearing the original "Alphafly" when he became the first Japanese runner to break 2 hours and 5 minutes.For the Houston Half Marathon in January of this year, where he set his personal best in the half marathon, and the Tokyo Marathon in March, where he earned his berth for the 2027 MGC, the "Alphafly 3" was on his feet.
And now, for speed-focused workouts, he wears the latest entry in the series: the "Nike Alphafly 4."
Designed to help runners maintain their pace and form from the very first mile to the final push, the "Alphafly 4" delivers a balanced blend of propulsion, cushioning, comfort, and stability. It is the lightest and most responsive model in the series' history, weighing about 5% less than its predecessor while improving energy return by approximately 10%.
"Compared to the previous model, the Alphafly 4 feels more stable and easier to wear. With the Alphafly 3, there were times when it felt a bit tricky to handle depending on my condition, but with the 4, I'm running with a great feel.
I also wore them during a 40-kilometer run, and even when I felt like I was running at a relaxed pace, I was maintaining a faster split than planned. The feedback has been really positive."
What Suzuki seeks most in racing shoes is responsiveness.
"Naturally, whether you can handle a pair of shoes depends on your physical condition at the time. Still, since we're competing for time and placement, I think it's crucial to unlock your full potential while relying on the shoes' energy return."
When he is in top condition, he says he feels a sense of complete synchronization—where the shoes click perfectly with his body during a race.
"In the first half of a marathon, I usually feel a bit chaotic or unsettled, but toward the second half, my body and the shoes gradually get in sync. When that harmony comes at an earlier stage, it means I'm in great form. Once that click happens, even with high-responsiveness shoes like the Alphafly, I can move forward efficiently without straining."
"NIKE APEX Is in a League of Its Own Compared to Previous Shoes!"
Regarding the recently unveiled "NIKE APEX," Suzuki says, "It's completely different from any existing shoes, offering a totally distinct feel from both the Vaporfly and Alphafly—it really feels like a brand-new kind of shoe."The "Apex" features double-stacked Air Zoom units in the forefoot, a brand-new construction for Nike racing shoes. The midsole utilizes ZoomX LT foam, which is roughly 17% lighter than standard ZoomX foam and provides about 8% greater energy return. It is also equipped with an inverse wave-shaped carbon plate specifically designed for the "Apex."
The stack height (sole thickness) is equally distinctive. With a 40mm heel and 40mm forefoot, there is zero drop between the front and back, resulting in a remarkably thick forefoot compared to typical racing shoes.
"Just slipping your foot in gives you a clear sense of its extraordinary propulsion. The first time I ran in them, I almost didn't know how to stride because they felt so different from anything else.
Since they feature Air Zoom units in the forefoot, I initially assumed they might feel similar to the Alphafly, but the ride was entirely different, which amazed me. It brought back the same shock I felt when I first put on the original Alphafly.
I haven't logged a huge amount of distance in them yet, so there are still aspects I'm getting used to, but I feel that if I master them, I'll be able to run insanely fast. They are shoes that genuinely get you excited to run."
How Kengo Suzuki Rotates His Running Shoes
During the interview, Suzuki was wearing the "NIKE PEGASUS PLUS 2." How does he select and rotate his shoes during daily training?"For regular daily jogs, I mostly wear the Nike Pegasus 42, and when I want to pick up the pace a bit, I usually go with the Pegasus Plus 2. As for the Nike Vomero 18, I use it for recovery or when taking things slow. Then, for workouts that require speed, I lace up the Alphafly 4 or the Apex."
Suzuki is scheduled to compete in the New York City Marathon this November. How will he perform in an international race without pacemakers? We look forward to seeing everything click for him.
PROFILE
Kengo Suzuki
Born in 1995. In 2025, he left Fujitsu to establish Kemmmy LLC, where he now competes as a professional runner. His time of 2:04:56 at the 2021 Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon was the former Japanese men's marathon record. He set a personal best of 1:00:56 at the Houston Half Marathon in January this year. At the Tokyo Marathon in March, he finished as the second Japanese male runner in 2:06:09, securing a spot in the 2027 MGC (Marathon Grand Championship).
Text by Fumihito Kouzu
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