Shoe company compensates Kenyan marathoner after disqualification
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.10.25. | 17:56
According to race officials, Matheka arrived at the event without a proper pair of marathon shoes and decided to purchase one at the race expo
Kenyan marathoner Paul Matheka saw his impressive performance at the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon end in heartbreak after being disqualified for wearing an unapproved pair of shoes.
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The 32-year-old was disqualified from the marathon on Sunday, 5 October, after wearing an unapproved pair of racing shoes.
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According to race officials, Matheka arrived at the event without a proper pair of marathon shoes and decided to purchase one at the race expo.
He settled on a pair of Voltra JET carbon-plated shoes from the booth of Malaysian brand Voltra, unaware that the model was not listed on World Athletics’ approved footwear list.
Despite the last-minute change, Matheka delivered an impressive performance, finishing seventh overall in just under 2:20, a time that would have earned him US$1,000 (Ksh129,150) in prize money.
However, post-race checks revealed that his shoes were not compliant with World Athletics’ regulations, leading to his disqualification.
Because the Kuala Lumpur Marathon holds World Athletics Elite Label status, organisers are required to enforce all competition rules, including the strict footwear policy.
The rules govern factors such as stack height, carbon plate construction, and availability of the shoe model to ensure fair competition.
Voltra quickly stepped forward to accept responsibility, clarifying that both the company and Matheka were unaware of the shoe’s approval requirements.
“It was an honest mistake by both sides. We could not sit still knowing that a passionate runner’s effort was left unrewarded because of a technicality,” the company wrote on social media.
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In a gesture of goodwill, Voltra compensated Matheka with the prize money he lost, saying they wanted to keep his spirit alive despite the setback.
“Sometimes, rules stop a winner. But we want to keep him running,” the brand added.
The Voltra JET, which weighs just 209 grams, features a full-length carbon plate embedded in Pebax foam and is designed for elite-level performance.
Though sold exclusively online, the model has been compared by reviewers to some of the leading marathon shoes on the market.
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