Why read this: This article gives B1 readers a clear way into a story they may already know from social media: a Kenyan runner has just broken the marathon world record while wearing a brand-new shoe that weighs less than a bar of soap. The text asks one question that students can argue both ways — was it the runner, or was it the shoe? The topic mixes sport, technology, rules and a quiet doping doubt, so it works as a discussion starter as well as a reading task. Numbers and dates are kept manageable, and the named runners and brands are limited to the few that the argument needs.
What to notice: Notice how the article uses one number — 99 grams — as its hook, then opens out into how a super shoe is built and why it matters. Watch how each section answers a small question (Why doesn't Kipchoge's 2019 run count? What makes the new shoe different? Is it only the shoe?) before moving on. Notice the sign-posted phrase "in light of" at the end: this is the only point where the writer asks readers to make a small inference about why Sawe asked for extra drug testing. The closing paragraph is also where the article shifts from celebration to caution.
Skills practised: Tracking cause and effect across short paragraphs (the shoe's design leads to better running economy, which leads to faster times). Linking facts to a central question ("Is it the shoe, or is the runner?"). Reading sports and science vocabulary such as "super shoe", "carbon plate", "stack height" and "running economy" with the help of margin glosses. Practising the formal connector "in light of" and the phrasal verbs "top up", "ramp up" and "hit with". Using textual evidence to support a short written answer in the open questions.
The 99-gram shoe behind a new marathon world record
Sabastian Sawe ran a marathon in under two hours wearing a shoe lighter than a bar of soap. Was it the runner, the shoe, or something more?
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
On Sunday in London, the Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe broke the world marathon record. He finished in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds, becoming the fastest man ever to run a marathon in an official race. The 31-year-old beat the previous London course record by nearly two minutes.
Another runner, Eliud Kipchoge, ran a marathon in under two hours back in 2019, but his run did not count as a world record. It was held under , not in a real race against other athletes. To be , a time must come from a normal open marathon. That is why Sawe's result is the first one to count in the record books.
Many people think the answer is in the shoes. Sawe wore the new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, which is a "" — a high-tech shoe built to make runners faster. The Pro Evo 3 weighs only 99 grams, which is lighter than a bar of soap. It is the first super shoe to weigh under 100 grams.
In a sport of , every small detail matters. Most super shoes use a stiff inside the sole to spring the runner forward. The Pro Evo 3 uses carbon material that wraps around the sole instead. This design helps , which means the runner uses less energy at the same speed. The shoe will sell for £450 later this year.
For many years, Nike was the in racing shoes. Kipchoge wore Nikes in 2019, and the late Kelvin Kiptum wore them when he set the previous world record in 2023. Now Adidas can say that the fastest marathon runner in the world wears their shoes instead. have tried to the new technology. Since 2022, the rules from World Athletics say a shoe's cannot be more than 40 millimetres, and a shoe can have only one carbon plate.
The shoe is not the only reason for faster times, because sport science has also improved. Sawe worked closely with the nutrition brand Maurten for many months before the race. The team trained him to his energy with carbohydrate gels during the race, so that his body could burn carbohydrates for fuel rather than . When new records are set, some people doubt the result. One Kenyan runner was recently a three-year ban for doping. this, Sawe and Adidas asked officials to his , to show that his record was clean.
On Sunday in London, the Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe broke the world marathon record. He finished in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds, becoming the fastest man ever to run a marathon in an official race. The 31-year-old beat the previous London course record by nearly two minutes.
Another runner, Eliud Kipchoge, ran a marathon in under two hours back in 2019, but his run did not count as a world record. It was held under , not in a real race against other athletes. To be , a time must come from a normal open marathon. That is why Sawe's result is the first one to count in the record books.
Many people think the answer is in the shoes. Sawe wore the new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, which is a "" — a high-tech shoe built to make runners faster. The Pro Evo 3 weighs only 99 grams, which is lighter than a bar of soap. It is the first super shoe to weigh under 100 grams.
In a sport of , every small detail matters. Most super shoes use a stiff inside the sole to spring the runner forward. The Pro Evo 3 uses carbon material that wraps around the sole instead. This design helps , which means the runner uses less energy at the same speed. The shoe will sell for £450 later this year.
For many years, Nike was the in racing shoes. Kipchoge wore Nikes in 2019, and the late Kelvin Kiptum wore them when he set the previous world record in 2023. Now Adidas can say that the fastest marathon runner in the world wears their shoes instead. have tried to the new technology. Since 2022, the rules from World Athletics say a shoe's cannot be more than 40 millimetres, and a shoe can have only one carbon plate.
The shoe is not the only reason for faster times, because sport science has also improved. Sawe worked closely with the nutrition brand Maurten for many months before the race. The team trained him to his energy with carbohydrate gels during the race, so that his body could burn carbohydrates for fuel rather than . When new records are set, some people doubt the result. One Kenyan runner was recently a three-year ban for doping. this, Sawe and Adidas asked officials to his , to show that his record was clean.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
Why did Eliud Kipchoge's 2019 sub-two hour marathon not count as a world record?
- 02
What is different about the carbon technology in the Pro Evo 3 compared with most other super shoes?
- 03
Why did Sawe and Adidas ask officials to ramp up his anti-doping testing?
- 04
Explain why many people think the new shoe is the main reason for the world record. Use two pieces of evidence from the article.
Suggested length: ~70 words
- 05
Compare the role of the shoe and the role of sport science in helping Sawe break the record. Which does the article say is more important?
Suggested length: ~70 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
Why did Eliud Kipchoge's 2019 sub-two hour marathon not count as a world record?
- 02
What is different about the carbon technology in the Pro Evo 3 compared with most other super shoes?
- 03
Why did Sawe and Adidas ask officials to ramp up his anti-doping testing?
- 04
Explain why many people think the new shoe is the main reason for the world record. Use two pieces of evidence from the article.
Suggested length: ~70 words
- 05
Compare the role of the shoe and the role of sport science in helping Sawe break the record. Which does the article say is more important?
Suggested length: ~70 words