Nike is reportedly developing a pair of million-dollar running shoes tailored to suit British Olympic star Mo Farah, which could help him break the marathon world record when he makes his debut in London next year.
Farah will continue his build-up for the London Marathon 2014 in the BUPA Great North Run on Sunday, when he will have distance giants Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie to beat over 13 miles.
According to the Daily Express, a team of 25 people are working at Nike on developing the shoes for the world' top long-distance runner on the track to make him the best in marathon running as well.
Stating that the shoes are still in the information-gathering stage, Farah's coach Alberto Salazar, who guided him to five Olympic and world gold medals at 10,000 metres and 5,000 m, said that the shoes may save a couple of minutes on Farah's running time, adding that it is a million-dollar project given the expense, the team and the research.
Farah's good friend and women's world-record holder Paula Radcliffe had raised doubts on whether Farah's style of running was ideal for the marathon, following which, the report said that Nike was hired to make the wonder shoes, although Salazar insisted that they will just take advantage of his natural style and not change his loping stride.
Stating that the new shoe would be ready for the event, Salazar further said that it would be too risky to change Farah's style, adding that the loping style is good for the athlete.