Leading footwear brand ASICS launches the ASICS Beijing Marathon, a unique high-mileage racing shoe that contains materials and technology specifically designed to cope with conditions in Beijing.

Some of the world’s top marathon runners will wear the Beijing Marathon in competition in this year’s games, including former gold medalists Stefano Baldini (ITA) and Mizuki Noguchi (JPN), along with Mara Yamauchi (GBR), Ryan Hall (USA), Deena Kastor (USA) and Viktor Rothlin (SWI).

The shoes feature a breathable, fine mesh upper to protect small stones and dust entering the shoe on Beijing’s dusty roads; a quick drying inner sole to combat excessive moisture in the Chinese heat; a Solyte midsole with greater cushioning for support on hard Beijing surfaces; and a distinctive outer sole that blends Solyte and rice husks, preventing slipping on the road, particularly near water stations.

The shoes were unveiled in Tokyo, Japan on 16 July 2008 and will make their competitive debut in the women’s marathon final on Sunday 17 August 2008.