US Patent 7100309 Track shoe with heel plate and support columns

An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes an outsole secured to the upper and a plurality of gripping elements extending outwardly from the outsole. A heel plate extends downwardly and rearwardly from a midfoot portion of the outsole. A first support column extends between the outsole and the heel plate, with the first column being positioned in a lateral portion of a heel portion of the outsole. A second support column extends between the outsole and the heel plate, with the second column being positioned in a medial portion of the heel portion of the outsole.