A man made headlines by breaking a world record at the New York City Marathon, impressively completing the race in Crocs.
In an exciting and quirky event, a man has set a new world record by running the New York City Marathon while wearing Crocs.
This unusual feat has garnered attention and admiration from fans and fellow runners alike.
The marathon took place on November 3, 2024, and it attracted thousands of participants from around the world.
Man breaks world record running the New York City Marathon in orange Crocs
Most runners sported high-end sneakers and advanced athletic shoes.
But among them was 31-year-old software engineer Kevin Leimkuhler, who stood out in a pair of bright, red-orange Crocs.
He ran the marathon in these unconventional shoes.
He also broke the world record for completing a marathon in Crocs, finishing in an impressive 2:51:27.
The runner explained why he ran in Crocs
Leimkuhler, who is originally from Philadelphia and now resides in Denver, explained his unique choice of footwear.
“It kind of seemed like a fun way to do New York,” he shared.
“I know that the New York City Marathon gets a lot of spectators, and since I’m from the East Coast, I could have friends and family come up.”
“I did it because I knew it would be a very fun and memorable way to run that marathon,” he humorously said.
The opportunity to run the iconic race with family and friends present made the experience even more appealing for him.
However, he emphasized that his decision was not a joke.
It was also a very comfortable way to run his fifth marathon.
Surprisingly, running in Crocs proved to be comfortable for Leimkuhler.
“I had zero issues. My feet have been in worse shape after marathons,” he revealed.
Contrary, he noted that when he has run in more expensive, carbon-plated “super shoes,” he often suffers from Achilles blisters.
“This time, I didn’t feel like I had to grip anything or strike the ground differently,” he said.
He completed the race with no blisters and kept all his toenails, experiencing only typical post-marathon soreness.
How did he prepare for the Marathon?
Leimkuhler prepared for the race by running approximately 40 miles in Crocs to ensure they fit properly.
During the marathon, he adhered to his usual routine: he used Body Glide to prevent chafing and wore his standard running socks.
Crocs even sent him custom Jibbitz showing his finishing time, which he added to the shoes after completing the race.
The Marathon runner shared his competition and thoughts on Crocs
Despite some schools banning Crocs due to concerns over tripping hazards, Leimkuhler experienced no issues running in them.
“I ran the entire way. I stopped once to hug my sister, and that was the only time I really stopped,” he said.
While he hasn’t decided if he will run future marathons in Crocs, he’s open to the idea.
“I don’t know if I’m gonna run my next marathon in Crocs, but I could certainly see myself running in Crocs from time to time,” Leimkuhler shared.
“I have actually found them to be a viable running shoe. They are refreshingly simple and just feel comfortable enough,” he concluded.