Pared down for racing?

My running chum has finally decided that my enforced regime of regular runs of increasing mileage in preparation for his wish to complete the 2012 London Marathon demand that he forks out for a new pair of running shoes.

These forlorn specimens were once Addidas Clima Cool racers (of long forgotten nomenclature). They now lack soles; he has, for some obscure reason, removed the lacing system; and he has been systematically pruning parts of the toe box away to accommodate his feet.

Tonight, after a 10k run in 50 minutes (an admirable time for one in such footwear) he decided that they were in retirement.