LONG-DISTANCE DETERMINATION

Tim Haarmann was admitted to the Doernbecher Children's Hospital after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). But despite energy-sapping treatments and general fatigue, he decided to walk 24 laps around his hospital unit every day—equalling one mile—until he left five months later. Since then, his love for baseball has shifted over to running, helping him discover an inner strength that he taps regularly on the wooded trails near his house. Featuring symbolic details of his newfound passion as well as tributes to those he'll never forget, Tim's Nike Free 5.0 (Doernbecher) Boys' Shoe reflects who he is as a person: a true friend and determined competitor.

TIM'S DESIGN

The artistic elements Tim applied to the Nike Free 5.0 include a checkered collar lining to signify the finish of a race, and a "24" logo on the tongue to celebrates the daily milestone he achieved and the iron will that made it happen. He honored the memories of two friends he met at Doernbecher, Big Boy and Audrey, by putting their names on the lace tips. A black-and-purple color scheme honors his favorite sports team, the University of Washington Huskies, and the sockliner graphic pays tribute to his favorite game, Settlers of Catan.

BENEFITS

• Lightweight woven mesh upper for breathability
• Flywire technology for ultra-lightweight support
• Nike Free midsole doubles as an outsole for lightweight cushioning, durability and reduced weight
• Deep hexagonal flex grooves for a natural, barefoot-like ride
• No-sew overlays throughout provide support and durability without added weight

NIKE FREE ORIGINS

After learning that Stanford athletes had been training barefoot on the university's golf course, three of Nike's most innovative and creative employees set out to develop a shoe that felt natural and weightless, similar to bare feet. In 2002, they examined a group of men and women with pressure-measuring insoles taped to their feet, using high-speed cameras to capture images of each foot in motion.

The team spent eight years studying the biomechanics of shoeless running. The results yielded a profound understanding of the foot's natural landing angle, pressure and toe position, allowing Nike designers to build an unconventional and flexible running shoe from the inside out.