Japan’s history with long-distance running is a storied one, with success at every level imaginable. It’s an obsession for some, thanks to the nation’s historical Ekiden, a long-distance running multistage relay race. With the nation’s big show, the Hakone Ekiden, mere weeks away, Nike will be issuing a special-edition Alphafly NEXT% “Ekiden” in honor of the event’s 97th installment in its 101-year history. And boy, you’d want to be fast running in these.
All eyes will be on you in this eclectic volt-based release, with the neon hue hitting everything from toe to tail, save a few iridescent accents. The upper’s glazed overlays rest dormant in deep navy but glisten in a popping bright blue at the sight of light. The same effect is applied to the heel, though less buoyant in an eggplant purple. Insole and rear branding show some direct callouts to the event, while the Swooshes offer up something a little more subtle — a topographic map that nods to the race’s hilly course from Hakone to Tokyo.
Update 03.09.21 Pairs of the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% “Ekiden” have just landed here on Nike US and are available now for $275. Go get ’em!Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% “Ekiden”
Release Date: March 9th, 2021
Style Code: DC5238-702
Color: Volt/Racer Blue-Multi-Color-Black
Price: $275
