Skip to main content

Could you run a marathon in crocs? What’s the fastest finishing time?

Do crocs slow you down?

man wearing crocs
ThePlanetSpeaks / Pexels

Recently, we’ve heard of runners crossing the finish line in carbon-plated sandals and running shoes. I was impressed when I heard about barefoot Bobby, who ran a marathon and races of varying distances with naked feet. Runners are getting creative and conjuring up all sorts of ideas, from no shoes to Crocs. Recently, an Australian runner headed off to the races in a pair of Crocs — the widely known versatile foam shoe. 

Crossing the finish line in Crocs

croc shoe
Ramandeep Singh / Pexels

At the Cadbury Marathon in Tasmania, Australia, Dan Camac became the first runner to break the two-hour and 50-minute mark in a pair of Crocs. He completed the marathon with a recorded time of 2:49:21, wearing vibrant yellow Crocs. 

Recommended Videos

The young runner from Adelaide, Australia, was searching for a new challenge and already owned a pair, so why not? Before Camac slipped on his Crocs and sped off, software engineer Kevin Leimkuhler set the previous world record and ran the New York City marathon in Crocs with a finishing time of two hours and 51 minutes.

Do Crocs slow you down?

crocs on grass
Wolrider / Pexels

Interestingly, Camac was confident he would smash that world record, and he did. Even so, we have to wonder if wearing Crocs slows you down. We don’t have enough evidence or data to come to a clear conclusion about that yet, and most runners choose not to wear them, but we can look at Camac’s experience. 

His previous marathon best was 2:34, which is slower than his Croc-wearing finishing time of 2:49:21. Every minute makes a difference for marathon runners, and for Camac, he claimed sporting those Crocs “sucked” and that he was “fading at the end”. 

Even if you’re not a fan of the appearance of those unique shoes, Crocs have several benefits, including being cushiony, lightweight, and breathable. That being said, unless you’re trying to set an interesting world record, if you’re looking for footwear for your next marathon, you might consider other options. Plus, while many love their trusty Crocs, some fashion gurus say they should be left in the past.

Steph Green
Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…
Topics
Experts say the dad bod era is over — here’s what men are focusing on instead
Should you change your fitness mindset?
man in gym using bands thinking happy

Once upon a time, the "dad bod" trend was all the rage, but experts say the conversation is shifting -- and for good reason. David Freeman, Senior Director of Signature Coach Excellence at Life Time, as well as the Co-Host of the Life Time Talks Podcast, says that more men are focusing on longevity and performance as key aspects of their health and fitness efforts. Freeman has been in the fitness industry for 15+ years.

What's driving the shift in conversation to a longevity-focused approach? Here's what Freeman shared about the end of the 'dad bod' era and the shift toward longevity and performance in men's health and fitness.
The shift from the dad bod

Read more
Incline walking or running, which is better for burning fat? Surprising study
If your goal is fat-burning, you might want to check out the latest research.
man running on treadmill

Walking is easier than running, but it still comes along with plenty of benefits. Studies show just two minutes of walking around the block helps blood sugar levels rise and fall more gradually and stabilize insulin levels. A brief 10-minute walk could lower blood pressure, and my mood always perks up when I walk my two little fluffy dogs around the block and see their wagging tails and smiling faces.

When it comes to achieving weight loss, researchers found that walking can help promote weight loss, so it’s worth setting off on foot, even if you’re short on time. Recently, researchers wanted to explore whether incline walking or running is better for burning fat. Incline walking is harder than it looks, and you’ll definitely feel your muscles working, especially those larger leg muscles.

Read more
High-rep training is in fitness fashion — here’s the science on the benefits
Are there benefits to powering through more reps? What does the research show?
man holding dumbbell bicep curl

Sometimes, powering through more reps can give you that sense of accomplishment as you count the numbers and really start feeling that burn. Does more reps mean more results? Does it depend on your goals? Some people shoot for lower reps with a heavier weight, while others work with higher reps and a lighter weight. Many fitness pros say variety is the spice of life.

When I was trying to build general muscle strength and mass in my lower body and core through months of physical therapy, my physical therapist often had me power through three sets of 10 reps with a light or moderate weight or just my body weight. I always felt like I got a good workout in by the time I was done with three sets of 10 reps of my lat pulldowns, resistance band core exercises, glute bridges, butterfly kicks, squats, lunges, calf raises, and the rest.

Read more