David Cheruiyot set a course record when he won the recent 2007 Ottawa Marathon in Canada in a pair of shoes manufactured by controversial shoemaker Spira Footwear. Mr Cheruiyot completed the course in 2:10:35, a personal best by over two minutes.

The shoes, which contain Spira's patented WaveSpring technology, do not comply with USA Track and Field Rule 143, which specifically bans spring technology in footwear for competition. The shoes may also violate IAAF rule 143, which bans any technology that provides an "unfair advantage".

Spira submitted its shoes to the IAAF for review and approval in September 2006, but the worldwide governing body for Track and Field has been unable to provide Spira with an answer. The company recently initiated a lawsuit against both the USATF and IAAF alleging that their rules which ban spring technology constitutes a restraint of trade in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.

Mr Cheruiyot, who has been training and racing in the shoes for six months, credits the shoe company for his success, stating, "I am far less fatigued after racing and training in Spira compared with any other shoes. As a result I have suffered no injuries and can train and race at more intense pace, and I find that my recovery time following a race or a hard workout is greatly reduced."

As a result of his victory in Ottawa, he was awarded $15,000 first prize and a $4,000 bonus for setting the course record. Two other runners wearing the footwear, Hilary Kimaiyo and David Karanja, finished in fifth and eighth place in respective times of 2:11:13 and 2:17:01.