For distance runners, every second matters. Physical training, a nutritious diet and mental resilience all play a key role, but there is one physiological factor that can set the pace for success: running economy. Simply put, it is the efficiency with which a runner uses oxygen at a given speed. While consistent training defines much of this, footwear could be a controllable variable that can help athletes achieve their personal bests on race day.
Keeping this in mind, PUMA recently launched the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3. The latest running shoe is designed not just for speed, but for measurable efficiency improvements. For the first time, PUMA brought its world-class testing environment, the Nitro Lab - a first-of-its-kind activation - to the Middle East. Hosted at SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai, the experience invited athletes from across the region to put this innovation to the test.
Independent research led by biomechanics expert Wouter Hoogkamer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst demonstrated that the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 improves running economy by 3.15 per cent. For a marathoner running three hours, that equates to a potential saving of over four and a half minutes, the difference between finishing strong and setting new personal records.
Nitro Lab experience
Since its establishment in 2021 at PUMA’s Boston headquarters, the Nitro Lab has become the proving ground for the brand’s performance breakthroughs. Outfitted with 3D motion capture, metabolic testing, and force-instrumented treadmills, the lab allows researchers to measure oxygen consumption, stride dynamics, and energy return in real time.
In Dubai, the Nitro Lab allowed participants to see direct, data-driven comparisons between the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 against their own elite race-day shoes. Within 15 minutes of completing their treadmill test, they received real-time results showing measurable efficiency gains.
“Running economy is like fuel efficiency in a car,” said Maximilian Gruttner, team head of performance concepts - innovation for footwear and apparel at PUMA Headquarters in Herzo. “If you need less oxygen to maintain the same pace, you are running more efficiently. That’s what makes the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 our fastest shoe yet.”
The secret lies in the shoe’s engineering. Weighing 95g less than its predecessor, the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is built for speed. Its NITROFOAM Elite midsole provides enhanced cushioning and responsiveness for a lasting bounce, while the PWRPLATE carbon delivers powerful propulsion and running efficiency. Completing the design, the ULTRAWEAVE upper and PUMAGRIP outsole provide lightweight comfort and multi-surface traction for race-day performance.
Laura Healey, senior manager of research and insights at PUMA Running in Boston, said: “Our NITROFOAM Elite is designed to sustain responsiveness from the first step to the last, ensuring efficiency isn’t lost across a marathon distance.
"What makes this shoe really special is that we used so many data inputs from professional athletes and really understood how they responded to the shoe to ensure it works across the board.”
She emphasised that while efficiency gains don’t translate directly into speed, they can be calculated into time savings.
First impressions
For endurance athlete and Abu Dhabi coach Lobna El-Halawani, the difference was immediate. "It feels light, fast, and gives me an extra push with every stride. It’s like flying," she said.
"My results showed a 2.63 per cent improvement in running economy compared to the elite race-day competitor shoe I had been using previously. My 10K personal best is 51 minutes. Based on the test results during the event, the improved efficiency would have reduced my running time by approximately two minutes, bringing my finish to 49:09 minutes.
"Similarly, for my half-marathon best of 2 hours and 10 minutes, the 2.63 per cent gain would have cut my time to approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. For marathon training, saving energy while maintaining pace is everything, and these shoes make that possible.”
Another UAE-based athlete, Yasmine Elhamouly, said the experience was nothing short of exhilarating.
“The bounce is incredible, and my muscles felt fresher because the shoe was doing part of the work,” she said. “My results showed a 3.03 per cent improvement, which means I could save more than seven minutes in a marathon, up to three minutes in a half-marathon, and around 1 minute 22 seconds in a 10K race.
"On race day, those gains can make all the difference, and these elite shoes deliver exactly that. It’s not just about running faster, it’s about running smarter, for longer.”
Coach Aziz, who was visiting from Saudi Arabia, said: “At first, I was a little apprehensive about the stability of the shoe, but the moment I started running, it felt light and fast.
"With every stride, it gave me that extra push forward. What stood out most to me was that my legs felt lighter, fresher, and ready to go longer. I came to Dubai to put these elite running shoes to the test, and the results showed that the FAST-R 3 improved my running economy by 3.08 per cemt. That could mean cutting up to six minutes off my marathon time, two minutes from my half-marathon, or 57 seconds in a 10k race.
"With the carbon plate, better cushioning, and proven efficiency gains, the difference is clear — this will be my go-to race shoe.”
Setting new benchmarks
The convergence of sport science, athlete data and design innovation makes running economy measurable and relatable and sets a benchmark for how footwear can shape performance outcomes.
Mr Gruttner said that bringing Nitro Lab to Dubai signals PUMA’s recognition of the Middle East’s thriving running culture. The region is becoming home to a growing number of marathons and a passionate community of athletes seeking every competitive edge.
“Dubai is a hub for running communities from around the world,” he said. “It’s the perfect place to show, with hard data, that PUMA has created a superior product based on a scientifically proven performance tool.”
Johan Kuhlo, managing director PUMA Middle East, said: “Bringing the Nitro Lab to Dubai is a landmark moment for PUMA. The Middle East’s fast-growing running community deserves to experience the science and innovation behind the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3.
"This activation lets athletes test the shoe, see the data, and connect science to performance. Launching the new colourway here first makes the debut even more special, highlighting both our innovation and commitment to the region.”
As marathon season approaches and athletes in the Middle East prepare to lace up, one thing is certain — in today’s races, efficiency is the new speed.
The shoes will be available at PUMA UAE shops, PUMA Online (in Saudi Arabia and the UAE) and select GO Sport shops.
This page was produced by The National in partnership with PUMA
