It’s inserting short, hex head screws into the lugs in the outsole (ie, the bottom) of the shoe For an excellent write up on how to do this, read Matt Carpenter's webpage, "The Screwed Shoe".
Skyline Shuffle 2018
SNAKE 10 Mile Trail Race 2018
finish line
2015 HAWK 100, 50, 26.2 photo by Mile 90 Photography