Top five running shoes that help marathoners clock faster times on the road

ATHLETICS Top five running shoes that help marathoners clock faster times on the road

Abigael Wafula 05:50 - 02.04.2024

Pulse Sports analyses five super shoes that can enable a marathoner to clock fast times as the marathon season approaches.

The marathon season is approaching with the Boston Marathon coming up on Monday, April 15 as the second World Marathon Major of the 2024 season after the Tokyo Marathon that happened on Sunday, March 3.

Many marathoners will be looking to run well with some hoping to clock impressive times and have a great build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Pulse Sports has analysed the top five shoes that marathoners can pick to enable them to run faster in the marathons, clocking impressive times and being among the runners to get the lucrative prize money.

Five suitable shoes marathoners can wear to help them clock faster times

1) Adizero Boston 12 Shoes

Fleet feet

The Adizero Boston 12 Shoes are built for mid- to long-distance running and as per the Adidas website, they bring a race-day feel to training with a propulsive feel that comes from the glass-fiber-infused ENERGYRODS 2.0, which limits energy loss underfoot.

The shoes are fast, but that does not come at the cost of durability since the midsole layers ultra-light LIGHTSTRIKE PRO cushioning with a new version of durable LIGHTSTRIKE 2.0 EVA. The race is now retailing at Ksh 21,200.

The Boston 12 provides a good option for faster-paced training, tempo runs, and interval sessions on the roads and it offers increased durability over specific race models.

2) HOKA – Arahi 7

HOKA

The Arahi 7 retains the J-Frame support and CM-EVA cushioning. In this case, the J-Frame is a firmer section of the midsole sitting around the edge of the rear of the shoe in a J-shaped structure to provide the support.

The lightweight EVA also helps to keep the overall weight of the shoe low. As per Athletics Weekly, a new zonal engineered, flat-knit upper with plusher tongue and ankle collar are the revisions this season and only serve to improve the overall fit, so fans of this shoe will be grateful the model hasn’t strayed too much from its formula.

It’s a lightweight, supportive shoe with a lower heel drop perfect for those wanting a shoe that offers control but is light enough to pick up the pace in. The shoe retails for about Ksh 17,225.

3) On running- Cloudboom Echo 3

On running

The shoe weighs 215g and is built with CloudTec® and Helion™ HF hyperfoam. Every element of the shoe is engineered for performance and it also has a hocker-shaped carbon Speedboard®. It has an impact protection and high energy return and is ultralight.

The shoe has already been approved by elite-level athletes and it has a silicone insert and cushioning where you need it. The shoe is also thin, breathable, and complete with a one-piece upper. It retails for about Ksh 39,000.

4) Nike Alphafly 3

outsideonline.com

The shoe is fine-tuned for marathon speed and helps push you beyond what you thought possible. It possesses three innovative technologies that power your run including a double dose of Air Zoom units to help launch you into your next step, a full-length carbon fiber plate that helps propel you forward with ease, and a heel-to-toe ZoomX foam midsole that helps keep you fresh from start to 26.2. The shoe retails for about Ksh 38,000.

The shoes were won by the late Kelvin Kiptum as he broke the marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon last year. The shoes were also won by legendary marathon king Eliud Kipchoge when he broke the world record at the Berlin Marathon in 2022.

5) Saucony – Guide 17

Believe in the run

The Guide 17 is maximumly cushioned and it is an ideal everyday running shoe, featuring our exclusive CenterPath Technology. As per the manufacturers, the transformational approach to stability, featuring a broader platform, higher sidewalls and asymmetric profile to guide your stride.

The shoe has a broader platform, higher sidewalls, and an asymmetric profile that guides your foot through its entire stride to reduce fatigue and help prevent injury.

Much like an ultra-luxe SUV, this one also packs a sleek modern exterior and plush interior, making it equally suited for workouts and daily wear. It's the ultimate Support Utility Vehicle - without being hard to park. The shoe retails for about Ksh 18,550.

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