Jan 06, 2022

Tri-ed and True

We caught up with Angela Naeth and Rach McBride, two professional triathletes on our Elite Team. Both are die-hard Topo fans and found us through their podiatrists who said they needed to change something about their shoes, or they may not be able to run competitively for the long haul.

Both Angela and Rach are Ironman 140.6 Champions. The Ironman 140.6 event is considered one of the toughest athletic feats and considered the pinnacle distance in the triathlon world: 2.4 miles swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run (marathon distance), all back-to-back in a single event. So, we’ve always wondered: What makes Topo shoes so great for the sport of triathlon specifically?

For Angela, it’s about maintaining good form and biomechanics to keep her as efficient as possible all the way to the finish line:

“There’s a reason why I’ve been a sponsored Topo athlete for 5 years – I’m an addict! If I wasn’t sponsored, my addiction alone would probably keep Topo in business. As a long-distance triathlete, I need a shoe that not only feels good when I first start running, but also helps me stay strong through to the finish by facilitating great foot placement and body mechanics.

That’s why I LOVE the Ultrafly 3s – they’re light but cushioned enough to still allow a quick turnover. They have a roomy toe-box to allow my feet to swell (this happens while running long!) without feeling sloppy. It also helps that the shoes have a very stable base and extra support on the medial side, which enables me to maintain a good foot strike all through the marathon. The fit of the Ultrafly 3 is so true to size and dependable that I usually put on a brand-new pair for a race because I love that fresh-out-of-the-box feeling! And who doesn’t want a shoe that matches your race kit? I love the colors of these shoes!”

For Rach, it’s about staying fast and feeling fast all through the race:

“First of all, the wide toe-box is fantastic for accommodating swollen feet in those final Ironman marathon miles – and the inevitable, day-after chubby feet (thank you Rekovr 2s)!

Secondly, my plastic speed laces work perfectly in my race shoes (Ultrafly 3/Fli-Lyte 4 – depending on the distance) for fast bike-to-run transitions. The unique left and right tongue loops keep the tongue in place, so you don’t have to fiddle with it when quickly slipping on your Topos. Time is of the essence!

And lastly (but oh-so-importantly), it makes a difference when I look good as well as feel good out on course. Topos come in all different awesome, fun colors – and if you know anything about me, I LOVE COLOR. It’s nice to have so many options to match my training and racing kits, or moods for that matter!”

Follow Angela’s and Rach’s journeys on Instagram (@angelanaeth and @rachelmcb) as they build up their training for the Ironman World Championships in St. George in May 2022!