Ever since 490 B.C. when Pheidippides ran from a battlefield near Marathon, Greece to Athens, runners and non-runners alike have been adding the famous distance race to their personal bucket lists.
Today’s biggest marathons in places like Boston, New York, and London are massive events and being able to cross the finish line with thousands of runners cheering for you makes the accomplishment all the more memorable. On top of that, the feeling of personal achievement you feel when crossing the finish line, even if there aren’t thousands cheering, is absolutely amazing.
But whether you’ve been running marathons for years or you’re preparing for your very first, one thing is always at the top of every runner’s mind… shoes.
How to find the best marathon shoes
Quite simply, there is no single answer to the question, “what are the best marathon shoes?” because all runners are different. Having said that, here are three steps you can take to make sure you’re wearing the best shoes for you when you pass through the starting gate.
1. Invest in high-quality running shoes
One of the many wonderful things about running is that it requires very little equipment compared to other sports. So, the investment you make in a great pair of shoes has a huge payback in terms of both immediate performance and long-term enjoyment. This is especially true as you start increasing the distance and frequency of your runs in the lead up to your marathon.
Women road running shoes | Men road running shoes
2. Find the shoe that works best for you
When it comes down to choosing the best shoes for your marathon, most experts agree that what matters most is to find the shoe that fits you best, and the one you will be most comfortable in at this longer distance. Because the fact is, no two runners are alike and what works for a 90-pound runner with a forefoot strike will be different to what’s best for a 200-pound heel striker. Which is why people successfully run marathons in all types of shoes, from shoes with loads of cushioning to shoes with minimal cushioning and everything in between.
So when you’re looking at shoes with different features like weight, drop, cushioning (like Salomon’s own [opti.vibe]), flexibility, size, lacing system, and waterproof/breathability remember that the most important thing is to find a high-quality shoe that fits your foot, is suited to your running style, and is comfortable for long distances.
To know more, check out our article on how to choose the right running shoes.
3. Race in the same shoes you train in
Ever heard the saying, “Dance with the one who brought you”? Well, there’s a lot of truth to that when it comes to life in general and to running shoes specifically. What it’s basically saying is that switching to a different pair of shoes on race day is not the best idea (unless you’re an elite marathon runner with many years’ experience). On race day, runners want to keep surprises to a minimum, especially when it comes to shoes.
Ideally, you will have zeroed in on the shoes that work best for you personally long before the event. Once you nail down a training schedule, you’ll know exactly how many kilometers you’ll be running leading up to the race and can slot a fresh pair of shoes into your training well before race day.
And while you don’t want your shoes to be too new when you race, you also don’t want them to have too many miles on them either. For a race this long you’re going to need all the help you can get, and if your shoes have collapsed you won’t be getting the rebound and cushioning needed to get you over the finish line with a smile on your face.
--- Discover Women road running shoes | Men road running shoes
So, when is the perfect time before a race to start running in fresh shoes? That’s another question that’s difficult to answer because once again, when you think about our 90-pound forefoot striker and the 200-pound heel striker, it’s pretty clear the answer is going to be quite different for each of them, even if they’re wearing the same make and model shoe. The best thing to do is to try to find an experienced running shoe professional who can evaluate your foot, answer your questions and help guide you in the right direction.
And clearly, the most important thing is to always listen to your body. As you ramp up your mileage in preparation for your marathon, keep in mind that sore muscles are not unusual. However, prolonged pain in your joints, heels, foot, or back is a sign that’s something awry and it is probably time to start looking for a different pair of shoes. You can learn more by reading this article on how to prevent a running injury.
And on your big day, as you near the finish line in your marathon, think of how lucky you are to have running shoes with 21st century cushioning between your foot and the road instead of whatever kind of high-tech, goat-skin sandals ol’ Pheidippides was rockin’ as he hightailed it away from that battlefield !
