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Craig Virgin's personally-owned and -worn Onitsuka Tiger 'Boston' racing flats in blue and white, one of the most successful long-distance racing flats of its era, worn by many of the top American marathoners of the 1970s. The lightweight racing shoes feature blue nylon uppers with contrasting white Onitsuka Tiger stripes along the sides, traditional lace-up closures, reinforced suede leather panels at the heels and toe boxes, and extra cushioning in the heel. Both shoes exhibit some wear from use, with cracking to the stripes.
Virgin recalls: "Tiger called this racing shoe the 'Boston,' because it was popular for marathons. You could train in them a little, but they were a half size too small for me and I barely wore them."
The Onitsuka Tiger 'Boston' was designed for distance runners seeking a lightweight racing shoe with greater cushioning than traditional track flats, reflecting the growing popularity of road racing and marathon competition during the 1970s. Named for the prestigious Boston Marathon, the model combined a streamlined nylon construction with added heel protection to accommodate the demands of longer distances. For Craig Virgin, whose remarkable career would eventually encompass three Olympic teams, two World Cross Country Championships, and victories at major road races, the shoes represent an early connection to the distance-running footwear that would become central to his athletic achievements.
