ANTA C202 G9 Racing Shoe × Kenenisa Bekele

The ANTA C202 G9 was built around a question that every serious marathoner eventually asks: how light is too light? The answer, after extensive testing by Ethiopian and Tibetan elite runners and multiple calibration sessions involving Kenenisa Bekele himself, turned out to be 165 grams per shoe at EU42. That is not a coincidence — it is the result of engineering every component to its minimum viable weight without surrendering the propulsion, stability, or durability that competitive marathon racing demands.

The C202 G9 is ANTA's ninth carbon plate running shoe and sits in the "lightweight rolling" category of the C-Series — positioned for runners who maintain a consistent pace, strike at the midfoot or forefoot, and run at a cadence of 180 steps per minute or higher. It is not a cushioned everyday trainer. It is not built for heel strikers or technical trail surfaces. It is a race-day tool for athletes chasing the 3:30 full marathon barrier, and it performs that role with very few rivals at its price point.

The shoe was co-developed with Kenenisa Bekele — three-time Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder at 5,000m and 10,000m — whose training feedback shaped the carbon plate geometry, foam density calibration, and outsole coverage decisions. New colorways continue to be added to the lineup from 2024 through the present.

Brand: ANTA
Model: C202 G9
Style Codes (Men's): 112445573 / 112525573 (multiple colorways — select above)
Co-Creator: Kenenisa Bekele — 3× Olympic Gold Medalist, former 5,000m & 10,000m world record holder
Release: First launched 2024; new colorways ongoing through present
Retail Price (China): ¥999 RMB
Category: Elite Marathon Carbon Racing Shoe
Target Runner: Sub-3:30 full marathoner · Midfoot / forefoot striker · High cadence (≥180 spm) · Body weight ≤75kg
Weight: ~165g per shoe (EU 42 / men's)
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm (heel 33mm / forefoot 29mm)
Midsole: Full-length NitroEdge PRO dual-layer nitrogen foam — 89% energy return
Carbon Plate: Full-length lightweight rolling carbon plate — high-curvature arc, upgraded from C202 5 GT
Upper: A-WEB breathable mesh (medial) + Xian high-tenacity fiber (lateral)
Outsole: A-GRIP PRO liquid anti-slip rubber — full coverage at 40% standard thickness, ~13% wet grip improvement
Ankle Height: Low-top
Closure: Lace-up
Last / Width: D last (narrow) — runs slightly small
Best For: Marathon / Half Marathon / 10K road racing · Flat road and track
Not Recommended For: Heel strikers / heavier runners / severe overpronators / trail surfaces
Sizing Note: True to size for normal/narrow feet; half size up for wide feet
Colorway: Multiple — select from options above
Condition: 100% Authentic & Brand New