Is This The World's Fastest Running Shoe?

If a new PB is on your wish list, this science-backed shoe could well be the one to help that dream come true.

- RACHEL BOSWELL

THE SHOE

We're often excited when new shoes are released - that's a given. But I haven't felt shoe-induced palpitations like this for a long time.

Why? Because Puma has unveiled its fastest, lightest, most responsive and arguably most attractive running shoe ever - a shoe so well-designed for speed, even science suggests it'll get you a new PB.

The shoe in question? The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3.

Recently unveiled, the Elite 3 promises a significant speed advantage for marathon runners - especially those at the quicker end of the field. In fact, according to new research conducted on the shoe by the University of Massachusetts, the Elite 3 offers a 3.15% improved running economy compared to its predecessor, the Elite 2.

Fortunately, I was one of the 100 runners picked to participate in Puma's Project3 programme building up to this year's London Marathon; in addition, I spoke with industry specialist Wouter Hoogkamer - who led the recent study on the shoe-to better understand the statistics that make the Elite 3 stand out.