The London Marathon witnessed a groundbreaking moment when the first two runners crossed the finish line in under two hours. The newly designed Adidas shoes, weighing just 97 grams, feature a stack height just shy of the Olympic limit, enhancing running efficiency and challenging previous beliefs about the possibility of sub-two-hour marathons. Steven Sashen acknowledges this achievement as legitimate, despite the potential shoe-related advantages. He emphasizes the crucial role of the shoes’ lightweight design and stack height in affecting stride length and energy expenditure, drawing parallels with Dr. Phil Mathetone’s theory that running barefoot on smooth surfaces could achieve similar results. While celebrating the runners’ remarkable performance, Steven prompts a discussion on the influence of advanced shoe technology in pushing the boundaries of competitive running.