Last weekend I attended the Pikesville Track Invitational at Pikesville High School. I showcased several pairs of running spikes and was thrilled by the great questions the runners and their parents had. Hopefully, these questions about track spikes will help you find the right pair for your next event.
Q: I run both sprint and middle distance events. Do I need a special type of spikes?
A: Many 400m and 800m runners will find themselves at a crossroads between being a sprinter and a middle-distance runner. You will want a pair of spikes that has a fairly aggressive spike plate so that the shoe recoils and propels you forward without compromising flexibility. The Saucony Velocity 5 is a great option if you fit this mold. If you become more advanced and are looking for optimal performances in both long sprints and middle distance running, you may want to purchase two different pairs: I like the Saucony Spitfire 4 for sprints and the Hoka One One Rocket MD spike for middle distance.