Just in time for the 40th running of the London Marathon, Nike announces three new colorways for the Air Zoom Aphafly NEXT% inspired by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge and the prototype he wore for the Ineos 1:59 Challenge. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the marathons much-anticipated contest between pre-race favorites Kipchoge and Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele will take place on a bio-secure closed course, consisting of 19.6 laps around St James’s Park with no spectators.
On 12 October 2019 in Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge successfully completed the Ineos 1:59 Challenge, an attempt to break the two-hour mark for running the marathon distance. The Kenyan runner crossed the finish line with a time of 1:59.40 around the 26.2mile course. The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 1:59:40 commemorates Kipchoge’s run with a colorway similar to the prototype he wore during the event, and includes ‘EK’ and ‘1:59’ printed on the heels and insoles. The Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Kenya celebrate Kipchoge’s storied carrier and the countries consistent success in international competitions. Runners from Kenya have run seven of the 10 fastest times for 26.2 miles. Rounding out the selection is the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% Mango. The Mango pack includes Alphafly NEXT%, Vaporfly NEXT%, Tempo FE NEXT% and Tempo NEXT%.
Release dates and availability at nike.com.
