ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altra Elite Athlete Jacob Puzey ran an average pace of 5:56 per mile to set the new world record for fastest 50 miles run on a treadmill with a time of 4:57:45, shattering the previous record of 5:57:31 by an hour. His marathon split time was 2:38. Fans from all over The Running Event trade show packed the Altra booth to cheer on Puzey to the new world record. Puzey is an experienced ultrarunner who ran the entire 50 miles in the Altra Paradigm road shoe on a ProForm Boston Marathon Treadmill. Puzey stayed hydrated with soft drinks and electrolytes and fueled with potato chips, stopping for a bathroom break only once.
Puzey’s wife, Amy, along with his six-month-old daughter, kept him motivated. Amy put inspiring notes on the treadmill console during his run, with messages like “Nothing is impossible,” “Arise from the dust and be men,” and “Be strong, be grateful, have courage.”
“Achieving this new record felt surprisingly great,” said Puzey. “I didn’t have super high expectations: I just wanted to see if I could run the previous record’s pace. I happened to feel really good today and going at a 5:56 pace felt great. I put one foot in front of the other on the treadmill and just kept going.”
Later that evening after he set the new world record, Puzey posted on his Facebook page:
“Over a decade ago, I shattered my navicular bone and was told I could never run again. My college teammate Golden Harper helped me transition back into running in lower profile shoes, but I still had to use orthotics. Eventually, he founded a shoe company based on his belief that shoes should not alter one's natural gait. I was fortunate to try some of the first models. Over the past five years that simple idea has revolutionized the shoe industry, and that little company is now a major player. The shoes have enabled me to continue to do what I love.
"Today when I set off to take down a world record, I thought of Altra founders Golden, Brian and Jeremy and the risks they took in taking out a huge loan to create prototypes in the middle of the recession to take on the Goliaths of the shoe industry. I thought of the risks they took and the impact they have had on me personally and on the shoe industry in general. If it had not been for them I may not be running today.
"So when it felt comfortable to run below world record pace even though I knew it could come back to bite me toward the end I went for it. When it seemed like running the pace Jim Wamsley ran at JFK was manageable I went with it. When it felt right running sub 6:00 even when I hadn't done much running at that pace since the Calgary Marathon in May I went with it again. I tried to run without limits.
"I didn't think of all of the running I hadn't done to prepare, but rather focused on the treat it is to run with my wife and kids most days. While I don't usually have a set running schedule other than the erratic sleep schedule of our premature baby, I am grateful to have a good treadmill to train on when the weather and work don't permit me to run outside.
"I am grateful for a supportive wife who works hard every single day as a CEO and mother while also ensuring we have ample time as a family. I am grateful for family, friends, fans, former students and athletes who encourage me to chase my dreams. I am grateful today went as well as it did, but even if it hadn't I'd still feel like the luckiest man alive. Thanks for all of the love and support!”
About Altra and ProForm:
While working at a running store, Altra founders Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead saw the pain caused by traditional running shoes. Their passion to create a shoe that made running enjoyable inspired Altra’s FootShapeTM toe box and Zero DropTM platform. Within only five years, Altra grew from one to 21 shoe styles, winning multiple Editor’s Choice awards and distribution in more than 50 countries. Altra shoes are for road, trail, track and treadmill. Next summer they will introduce a multi-sport fitness shoe. See the full line at www.AltraRunning.com.
Join the conversation @AltraRunning and #ZeroLimits on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
ProForm innovation has led the home fitness industry for more than two decades, introducing products such as the ProForm Boston Marathon treadmill, the first ever home treadmill to go to 12 mph and controlled by a remote SpeedRing. ProForm also created the ProForm Tour de France cycle, a cycling trainer for elites and amateurs that mimics outdoor terrain with 20% incline to 20% decline and iFit Coach powered by Google Maps. See the wide range of products and price points at www.ProForm.com.
ProForm encourages everyone to #DoWhatMovesYou and join the conversation @ProForm on Facebook and Instagram, and ProForm Live on YouTube.
Altra and ProForm are members of the ICON Health & Fitness family, the leader in running, outdoor and fitness brands based in the beautiful mountains of northern Utah.
