SpeedEndurance TV: History of Spikes, from Jesse Owens to Usain Bolt

Last Updated on May 8, 2021 by Jimson Lee

Join me Wednesday on SpeedEndurance TV. We will be using Google Hangout on Air, and you can watch the video on LIVE stream.

To watch the live steam, all you need to do is go to the YouTube link below. To participate in future Webinars where you get to ask questions, you will need a Google+ account (but you don’t necessarily need a Gmail email address).

Only 9 people (maximum) can be invited to ask questions, but unlimited viewers. Yet another reason to connect with me on Google+ and not miss any future webinars.

(NOTE: Save Time and install the Google+ plugin beforehand!)

The webinar or hangout will be Wednesday June 25th at:

Noon Pacific PDT (and Phoenix)
3pm Eastern EDT
8pm UK BDT
9pm Europe CEDT

My guest will be Shon Grosse, a physical therapist, athletic trainer and performance coach at www.shongrosse.com and his previous guest articles are here.

We are going to have a “show and tell” of all the spikes used from elite athletes, focusing mostly on Sprinters and some Middle distance.

We will look at:

Jesse Owens’ spikes (when Adidas only had 2 stripes)
Bob Hayes
Jim Hines
Tommie Smith
Lee Evans
Valery Borzov
Bruny Surin
Maurice Green’s DeMOlisher
GBR’s Jamie Baulch
Canada/Michigan Miler Kevin Sullivan
Usain Bolt pre-Beijing spikes (before he was famous!)
Usain Bolt post-Beijing spikes
and many many others!

We will look into the history and reasoning behind the development of spikes

spikes for cinder vs synthetic tracks
spike (pins/needles) length
number of spike elements, from 4 to 7 to 11.
spike geometry
spike plate: half, partial, and full
material of the spike plate (chassis)
stiffness of the full plate spike
upper materials used, including the controversial kangaroo leather uppers (USA ban?)
design elements
pronation of the heels

And finally we will look at the modern spike, especially the very expensive 99 gram (3.5 ounce) adidas adiZero Prime SP spike and the engineering that went into it. FYI, Click here to purchase the adidas adiZero Prime SP spikes. Only $211 USD!

We will treat all vendors fairly, as this is NOT an infomercial to sell spikes. Coaches, athletes, historians, biomechanists and all levels of Therapists should watch this webinar and learn the structural elements behind the spike, and why you can get injured. I will reveal my preferences for a Masters athlete, and both Shon and I will give advice on how to choose the right spike for your needs.

If you do need spikes, my choice is Eastbay. I used them back in Canada in the late 1980’s and they are still around today. (DISCLOSURE: I may earn a small commission when you buy from my links)