Not long ago, we published an explainer about marathon rulesKnowledge | What runners should know off the marathon course.On the course, victory is decided not only by the speed underfoot but also by attention to detail and adherence to the rules. Yet a recent news item is almost unbelievable. On October 14, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, Kenyan elite Paul Matheka originally finished in under 2:20, taking seventh overall in the men's race, which under the rules should have earned him a $1,000 prize. However, the post-race shoe inspection dropped him from the edge of the podium straight onto the disqualified list — the reason was a pair of new shoes he had bought at the expo. In the long-distance running world there is an iron rule almost every runner follows — “Nothing New on Race Day (never use anything new on race day).” But 32-year-old Matheka, during his pre-race preparations, found his race shoes were showing wear and bought Voltra's newly released carbon-plated running shoe, the Voltra JET, at the race expo. According to official data, the raced shoe weighs 209 g (UK 8), with a full-length carbon plate embedded in the midsole and Pebax foam, designed primarily for speed performance. However, what he didn't expect was that this shoe had not yet received formal approval from World Athletics (WA). World Athletics places restrictions on race shoes' thickness, carbon plates, and time limits. These include:(1) Midsole thickness must not exceed 40 mm;(2) Only one rigid structure (e.g., a carbon fiber plate) is permitted in the sole, and it cannot be stacked or layered;(3) All shoes under development or testing must obtain prior written approval from World Athletics. From the first time they are approved for competition use, the approval lasts only one year. Because the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon is a World Athletics Elite Label Event, the race must comply with all World Athletics regulations on racing shoes. The race technical delegate confirmed that the Voltra JET is not listed on WA's current approved list and is an "unauthorized" shoe. Therefore, although Matheka's performance was impeccable, under the rules his result is invalidated and his prize money revoked. Thedecision, once announced, drew attention on-site and on social media — many runners sympathized with Matheka's situation. Shortly after the incident surfaced,given Matheka's unusual situation — he didn't intentionally break the rules but changed shoes at the last minute; and the brand happened to be selling an "unapproved new model" at the expo and hadn't realized the new shoe required WA approval — it was essentially a chain reaction of unlucky mistakes. Voltra quickly issued a statement on social media: “We cannot stand by and let a passionate runner's efforts go to waste because of a technical detail.” They then announced they would fully reimburse Matheka the $1,000 he lost due to disqualification and apologized to the race organizers. Voltra's proactive handling of the issue and sincere attitude demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and professional capability, producing an online "reputation reversal" — what could have been a brand crisis instead became a successful showcase of PR and brand spirit. In past races, there have been many cases of athletes being stripped of results for non-compliant race shoes, but having a result canceled because the shoes bought at an expo were "non-compliant" is very rare. This incident was not only a mix-up caused by a technical detail but also a sobering reminder: whether elite or recreational, runners should fully understand a race's shoe requirements before competing. Especially in World Athletics-labelled races, the shoe model, certification, and even release date can determine whether your result "counts." On the road to chasing a PB, rules and caution are a runner's true protection.
