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SPIRA'S
CONTROVERSIAL
RUNNING
SHOES
SPRING
INTO THE
LIMELIGHT
By HB
Meeks/Tell
Us USA
News
Network
 (Tell
Us USA)
- Have
you
wondered
who
makes
those
bright
yellow
running
shoes
that the
elite
long
distance
athletes
wear?
The
answer
is
simple,
Stinger
Bees!
What was
once a
shoe
worn
only by
world
class
marathon
runners
are now
showing
up on
city
streets
across
the
country.
Laced up
on the
feet of
the
dedicated
weekend
jogger
or
runners
training
for the
fall
marathon,
athletes
are
turning
to the
SPIRA
Running
Shoe for
its
technological
design
which
improves
endurance
and
performance
while
helping
to reduce
the risk
of
injury
in areas
of the
foot,
knee and
back.
 President
and
founder,
of the
El Paso,
Texas-based
shoe
company,
Andrew
Krafsur
and his
team
have
been
producing
the
revolutionary
footwear
with its
"WaveSpring" technology
since
2002.
The
Stinger,
a light
weight
racing
flat is
a well
cushioned
training
shoe
that
provides
a high
level of
responsiveness
and
protection
against
fatigue
issues
normally
associated
with
light
weight
racing
shoes.
It
combines
a level
of
cushioning
and
responsiveness
that is
difficult
to
achieve
for a
shoe in
this
weight
category.
The very
design
and
technology
of the
SPIRA
Stinger
Competition
shoe has
led it
to be
banned
by the
USATF
and the
Boston
Marathon
in 2006,
sighting
shoes
containing
spring
technology
are
considered
to
provide
an
athlete
with an
unfair
advantage.
The
company
(Spira)
filed a
lawsuit
against
the
International
Amateur
Athletic
Federation
and the
United
States
Association
of Track
and
Field,
alleging
that
their
Rule 143
-- which
bans
shoes
with
springs
--
constitutes
a
violation
of the
Sherman
Anti-Trust
Act
and
a
restraint
of
trade.
Krafsur
said,
"Often,
the
rules of
sports
 don't
keep
pace
with
technological
advances.
But the
benefit
of our
technology
is
better shoes
not just
for
dedicated
runners
but for
everyone."
Though
banned
by the
IAAF and
USATF,
they
have not
disqualified
anyone
who
races in
the
shoe.
Since
the ban,
SPIRA
Footwear
has been
on a
tear,
racking
up
impressive
achievements
in
product
development,
corralling
top
Elite
and
Olympic
runners
to race
in the
hi-tech shoes,
shoes
that
dominate
marathons
around
the
world
and
assembling
some of
the best
management
and
marketing
minds in
the
running
apparel industry.
All in
preparation
for
making
the move
to the
front of
the line
in sport
footwear.
 Performance
running
shoes
are not
the only
product
Spira
offers,
in fact
the
company
sells
one of
the most
popular
walking
shoes on
the
market.
The
Spira
Classic
Leather
walking
shoe
with
patented
WaveSpring™
technology
in both
the heel
and
forefoot
provides
maximum
cushioning
and
energy
return.
Many
doctors
recommend
the
shoes
because
they deliver
exceptional
comfort
for
serious
and
casual
walkers,
people
who are
on their
feet
throughout
the day
or for
those
who must
stand
for long
periods
of time.
Spira
has also
entered
the
outdoor
footwear
market
with a
remarkable
hiking
boot
that
offers
great
stability
and hold
in
addition
to
unprecedented
shock
absorption
on those
long
downhill
treks.
For more
information
on the
Spira
products
go to:
http://www.spirafootwear.com
Click
image to
find out
more
about
Spira
Footwear
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