Hoka One One ultrarunner Jim Walmsley has broken the unofficial 50-mile World Record, clocking a time of 4:50:08. At an average of 5.48 per mile, that’s a mightily impressive (near) two marathons back-to-back in 2hrs 32mins.
Competing as part of the HOKA Project Carbon X race in Sacramento, California, Walmsley sped across the fast and flat course to beat distance-running legend Bruce Fordyce’s 35-year record time of 4:50:51.
Walmsley was wearing Hoka’s new Carbon X shoe which the company says is “filled with features that will benefit athletes of all levels, regardless of distance or speed”.
Meanwhile Japanese star, Hideaki Yamauchi – also wearing the Carbon X – crossed the 100K finish line in first place, registering an impressive time of 6:19:54, just over 10 minutes outside the World Record.
The Carbon X shoe features a carbon-fibre plate in its midsole and an aggressive Metarocker™, which are designed to provide an efficient, propulsive ride for athletes going any speed.