Spira Footwear said 3-time Olympian and top-ranked triathlete Hunter Kemper has signed on to endorse Spira shoes. Kemper, who in addition to having a world No. 1 Triathlete ranking, is a 3-time Olympian, 6-time National Champion, Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Champion and the 2005 United States Olympic Committee “Sportsman of the Year.”

“To have Hunter Kemper train and compete in Spira shoes is a tremendous honor for our company. He has been at the top of the sport for so long, and is extremely highly regarded, both personally and professionally. He joins a growing list of InSPIRAtional athletes who have discovered Spira and our remarkable technology,” said Andy Krafsur, Spira Footwear CEO.

“Our sport is as much about the equipment as the athletic endeavor. If you think about it, most of the cycling innovation over the past 20 years has come out of the tri-world,” Kemper said.

“I think the Spira WaveSpring technology is the most significant advancement in footwear technology we've ever seen. It will be a great technology for me to pioneer.”

Kemper, who was the first triathlete featured on the Wheaties box in 2007 is being featured again in 2009 wearing Spira. Wheaties® has become synonymous with legendary athletes.

“After struggling with injuries for the past 18 months, the Spira shoes have been a godsend,” said Kemper.

“Not only do I expect the WaveSpring technology to help keep me injury-free by reducing the stress on my muscles and joints, but I am convinced that the competition shoe, the Spira Stinger, will make me faster, as it has for so many competitive runners. It will be my new weapon coming off the bike this season.”

Coincidentally, both Kemper (1998) and Krafsur (1986) are graduates of Wake Forest University. In coming months, Spira and Kemper can be seen throughout the country raising awareness and funds at multiple triathlons and running events in support of the A-T Children's Project.