Kenyan runner wins marathon in carbon-plated sandals
If you want to turn heads and make a statement at your next race, carbon-plated sandals could be the move

Just last week, we reported on a Malaysian runner who completed a 3:04 marathon in sandals. However, a new Thai brand is taking sandal running to the next level. Last Sunday, at the Khon Kaen Marathon in Khon Kaen, Thailand, Kenyan marathoner Barnabas Kiplimo broke the tape with a winning time of two hours, 18 minutes and 55 seconds. But what caught everyone’s attention was his footwear.
Kiplimo wore the world’s first carbon-plated running sandal, the Nirun, designed by Thai running brand VING. While many runners have tested the limits of minimalist footwear over the years, VING has taken it literally, creating a sandal product for performance while allowing runners to feel free.
According to the brand’s website, the motivation behind the Nirun was to “simplify the footwear industry” by creating the “world’s first super sandal.” Unlike most carbon-plated racing shoes, which have uppers made of lightweight fabric or sewn material, the Nirun’s upper and midsole are both made of proprietary foam. The sandal features a full-length carbon plate within the foam midsole, designed to enhance cadence and provide responsiveness. The super sandal has a traditional thong-style flip-flop design, but its foam heel strap adds some extra security, almost like a Croc.
Although the super sandal might seem questionable at first glance, performances like Kiplimo’s give it credibility; at Khon Kaen, he improved his previous marathon best by eight minutes.
VING says they have launched a product testing camp in Iten, Kenya, one of the world’s premier training destinations for long-distance runners, and have been testing the super sandal on elite distance runners and marathoners in warm training conditions to evaluate its durability, performance and speed.

The brand has a few prototypes for sale, but remains in the testing and development phase. “We are planning to launch a Kickstarter project in February with an updated version of the sandals,” the brand wrote on Instagram. They also plan to showcase their product at the 2025 L.A. Marathon in March.