NIKE RUNNING MEDIA CAMP 2024 Held! Discovering the Latest Technology

In 2017, Nike released cushioned shoes equipped with carbon plates, truly revolutionizing the running shoe scene. Since then, as any runner knows, they have continued to lead the running scene. Top athletes wear these shoes in world-class marathon events and many runners select Nike for the Hakone Ekiden in Japan.

At this past summer's Paris Olympics, Sifan Hassan achieved the feat of winning a gold medal in the marathon and earning bronze in both the 5000m and 10000m events with Nike shoes.
 
We report on the "NIKE RUNNING MEDIA CAMP 2024" event, designed to deeply understand and experience Nike's running shoe technology firsthand.

How Do Top University Athletes Choose Their Shoes?

The NIKE RUNNING MEDIA CAMP 2024 kicked off with a product presentation. The esteemed guests of this camp included Dr. Katsuro Yoneda, the coach from Meijo University's Women's Ekiden Team, along with their team captain Nanase Tanimoto and Nanaka Yonezawa. Additionally, the event featured Toshiyuki Sakai, coach from Toyo University's Long-Distance Division, and the team captain Ren Umezaki and Kosuke Ishida.

The latest Nike running shoes, including the EKIDEN PACK, and how each athlete chooses their shoes for training were highlighted. Here's the breakdown:
 
・Nanase Tanimoto / Jog: Pegasus, Pegasus Plus; Group Runs/Quick Jog: Pegasus, Pegasus Plus; Pace Runs: Alphafly; Speed Training: Dragonfly (Track Season), Alphafly (Ekiden Season); Races: Alphafly
 
・Nanaka Yonezawa / Jog: Pegasus; Group Runs/Quick Jog: Pegasus; Pace Runs: Vaporfly; Speed Training: Dragonfly (Track Season), Vaporfly (Ekiden Season); Races: Vaporfly
 
・Ren Umezaki / Jog: Pegasus; Group Runs/Quick Jog: Pegasus Plus; Pace Runs: Streakfly; Speed Training: Streakfly, Alphafly; Races: Alphafly
 
・Kosuke Ishida / Jog: Vomero; Group Runs/Quick Jog: Pegasus Plus, Zoomfly; Pace Runs: Vaporfly; Speed Training: Vaporfly, Pegasus Plus; Races: Alphafly
 
Tanimoto explained the different types of practice:

"Jogging forms the foundation of running training. Around 70–80% of our training is jogging. Another step up is group running, where we run at a faster pace in a group. Quick jogging is similar to race pace but a bit slower.

"Pace running is faster than group runs, closer to race conditions, where we run long distances at a speedy pace. Speed training is done to push our speed limits with distances such as 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1000m."
 
They shared impressions of each shoe:
 
"For jogging, I alternate between Pegasus and Pegasus Plus for cushioning and stability. Pace runs are more practical training, so I wear Alphafly as my form gets closer to race conditions." (Tanimoto)
 
"I run on roads, tracks, and artificial turf during jogs and wear Pegasus for its cushioning to prevent injuries. Pegasus also has good rebound, fitting for faster-paced group runs. Vaporfly feels more suited to me than Alphafly, so it's my race shoe." (Yonezawa)
 
"Pegasus, used for jogging, balances cushioning with leg muscle-building. Pegasus Plus, worn for quick jogs, offers excellent response. I switch between Streakfly and Alphafly for speed training based on intensity." (Umezaki)
 
"For fundamental jogging, comfort is key, so I wear Vomero for its superior cushioning. Zoomfly is for quick jogs, to adjust to thick-soled shoes with plates. Pegasus Plus is versatile and speedy, great for interval training like 1000m at a 3-minute pace." (Ishida)
 
Coach Sakai, the coach at Toyo University, usually leaves shoe choice up to the athletes. However, if instability in form is noticed during training, he might suggest trying different shoes.

Running Session with Elite Pacers

During the running session held at the athletic stadium, participants first experienced warm-ups actually conducted by Meijo University and drills by Toyo University. Once the body was ready, they proceeded to a two-lap 800m run on the track. The 800m run was divided into three groups based on target times, and pacers from Meijo University and Toyo University guided us (what a luxury!).

In the first lap, participants ran with the pacers, while in the second lap, they were free to go at their own pace (though they could still follow the pacers if they wanted). The author chose a pace of 4 minutes per kilometer and finished in just over 3 minutes.
 
The shoes worn during the 800m run were the "Ekiden Pack" colored Nike Alphafly 3. This was my first experience running on the track with the Nike Alphafly 3, and as expected, the shoes provided tremendous propulsion and bounced significantly. There is no doubt that these shoes make it easy to gain speed.

The key to achieving a good race time lies in how long you can maintain control over these shoes with your strength and stamina (currently, both the men's and women's marathon world records are held by athletes wearing the Nike Alphafly 3).