As a keen marathoner who’s always looking for ways to improve my PR, I take great interest in what the best runners in the world use when tackling the event, and one product has taken all the attention in recent years as world records have tumbled.

The best carbon plate running shoes are used by all elite runners and most keen amateurs these days, with their lightweight, springy designs helping to improve running efficiency.

These so-called super-shoes have been controversial because their impact on the sport has been so dramatic, but they’re not the only recent innovation that has helped elites and amateurs smash world records and PRs.

Swedish sports nutrition brand Maurten’s energy gels and drinks have been used by every World Marathon Major winner since 2017, and to set every new marathon world record since 2018.

Sebastian Sawe used them when he ran the first sub-two hour marathon at the London Marathon in April, consuming an astonishing 115g of carbs per hour during his run.

There are a lot of energy products available so Maurten’s dominance among elites is remarkable. In contrast, carbon racers from a wide variety of brands have been used to win races and set records.

To find out more about how and why pros use its hydrogel drinks and gels, I spoke to Joshua Rowe, head of sports tech at Maurten.

How do Maurten’s hydrogel products work?

The difference between Maurten’s gels and drinks and other brands’ products is the hydrogel technology used by Maurten, which changes how the carbs enter your body, putting less stress on the stomach.

“Hydrogel technology is not new technology in the sense that it came from the medical industry,” says Rowe. “It’s classed as a drug delivery system.

“The stomach is really acidic. It's designed to kill bacteria. The problem with that is if you end up ingesting a really acidic drink, which tends to be the case in the nutrition industry, it enters an acidic environment and it creates a bit of a boiling pot. That’s where athletes get GI issues. They feel sick, they bloat."

By forming a hydrogel Maurten's gels and drinks bypass the stomach entirely and enter the small intestine at a faster rate. At that point the hydrogel degrades and the carbohydrates are released to be absorbed.

“The Kenyans put it the best way," says Rowe. "They say it's the ‘disappearing drink’.”

How many carbohydrates are elite runners using in races?

“I would say nowadays they’re all having an aggressive intake, getting close to 90g per hour,” says Rowe. “If we look at like Sabastian [Sawe], there's some that are getting close to 115g to 120g.”

Are there downsides to consuming so many carbs in races?

Compared to cyclists in particular, runners tend to take on a lot less fuel during long activities, and one of the reasons for that is simply that it’s harder to consume carbs during runs than bike rides.

“The biggest difference runners have compared to cyclists is that because there's more muscle movement and more muscle recruitment when you're running, more blood flow is diverted away from your stomach,” said Rowe. “That's why a lot of runners have stomach issues.

As Rowe explains it, the blood flow is going into the muscles, plus blood needs to go to the skin to help expel heat. That means any internal organs that don't really need the blood almost go into a hibernation state, and that's what happens with the stomach.

So when you consume a large amount of carbs, your stomach can struggle to process them because it's in this slowed-down state. The hydrogel helps with this, as it delivers the carbohydrates effectively even when there's not much blood flow going to the stomach.

Should amateurs try to copy this high-carb strategy?

High-carb running is all the rage right now, but amateurs might not get as much from the strategy and simply copying the likes of Sawe it isn’t necessarily the smart approach.

“Just because the elites have this much it doesn’t mean that if you go to have that much you're going to get the same performance benefits,” says Rowe.

“A really high powered car, when it's pushed at max, will drain all of its fuel really quickly. Say a Formula 1 car is fully optimised to be able to burn fuel very quickly and very fast.”

That’s the elites, and we mere mortals are usually not quite as well optimized, which means even if we consume 100g of carbs we might not be able to process and use that amount.

How do you train your gut to handle high amounts of carbohydrates during runs?

If you are keen to optimize your fuelling and increase your carb intake, you need to train your guy to handle it.

“If you practise consuming carbohydrates frequently during the build up to the marathon you will optimize your uptake and you'll get more comfortable ingesting like the intake you need to have,” Rowe said.

“Where a lot of people go wrong is they just do a couple of long, easy runs and test a couple of gels, but the problem is with that is that intensity is a really important factor, and so is frequency."

Lots of runner practice their fueling strategy on easy runs, which is useful, but those runs are not as intense as race day when it can feel harder to take a lot of gels or energy drinks because you're pushing so hard.

To counter this Rowe makes his athletes practice feuling at race intensity, and also at the same frequency as they will be consuming carbs on race day.

“If you plan to have a gel every 5km or 7km, in training that might mean you might take it every 30 or 35 minutes," Rowe said. "But then on race day, it might be every 20 or 25 minutes. So it feels like quite a lot. People need to practise the frequency as well.”

You should treat your gut training like your regular training, building up over time to ensure you can handle the carbs you plan to consume on race day.

Carbon shoes vs carbs; which is more important?

Carbon plate running shoes have been seen as the driving force behind elites and amateurs getting faster in recent years, especially with regards to the marathon, but could high-carb strategies be just as important?

Shoes will always steal the focus with the general public; indeed when Sawe ran his record at the London Marathon it was in the brand-new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, the first carbon super-shoe to weight under 3.5oz.

However, Rowe suggests elite athletes rate the importance of advances in nutritional just as highly, and that importance is borne out by the science.

“If you're doing a lot of good training and using nutritional products in your training, it's the same effect as the carbon shoes," Rowe said. "It helps with recovery. It helps you run quicker. It makes you feel better.

“Then we get to race day and there is some research being published that if you compare a 60g carbohydrate intake to 100g or 120g, it equates to a 3% improvement in running economy.

“We talk about shoes having a 3-4% increase in running economy. It's the same as having a good carbohydrate intake."

If you're fuelling well during long events, it can also help you avoid the dreaded 'wall', which used to be the most common factor in derailing runners late in marathons.

“What hitting the wall really means is when your body transitions from using carbohydrates as a fuel source to utilising fats as a fuel source," said Rowe. "That's because your body needs to work harder to break down fats than carbohydrates.

“Now athletes are able to ingest so many carbohydrates, it’s almost that the wall's not really a thing anymore. So it’s a combination. The shoes can help, but your body needs to be able to be fully primed and utilizing carbohydrates to allow you to do that.”

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The Asics Novablast has quickly cemented itself as one of the most popular running shoes on the market, beating out long-running favorites like the Nike Pegasus and Hoka Clifton to be the most tagged shoe on Strava in 2025.

Given the Asics Novablast 5 is so popular, Asics might have hesitated to make big changes to the Novablast 6 for fear of offending existing fans of the shoe, but instead the brand pushed ahead and made some telling improvements.

The result is that the Asics Novablast 6 is one of the best running shoes I’ve tested this year, and it's an easy one to recommend to all kinds of runners thanks to its comfortable, versatile design.

Asics Novablast 6 review: price and availability

The Asics Novablast 6 was unveiled in May 2026 and goes on sale globally on 1 July, costing $155 in the U.S. and £140 in the U.K., a $5 price rise on the Novablast 5.

It enters a very crowded area of the market where it competes with classic daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus 42 and Hoka Clifton 10, as well as popular new shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Saucony Endorphin Azura.

Asics Novablast 6 review: design and fit

The Novablast 6 will launch in 11 colors, including the Rose Dust design I tested. It fits me well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I’ve used for all past Novablast models.

It’s a high stack shoe, standing 41.5mm tall at the heel and 33.5mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop, but it weighs just 9.2oz in my US men’s size 10, which is impressively light for such a cushioned shoe.

Upper

The Novablast 6 has a comfortable woven upper with a lot of padding around the collar and a stiff internal heel counter to add stability at the back of the shoe.

I had no problems with the fit or feel of the upper during my runs. It held my foot securely and comfortably throughout testing, including long runs and workouts.

Midsole

The biggest update to the Novablast 6 is found in the midsole, which now features a ‘puck’ of Asics’ FF Turbo Squared foam under the forefoot, with the rest of the midsole being made from the FF Blast Max.

FF Turbo Squared is the energetic foam used on the Asics Megablast, and its addition makes the Novablast 6 lighter and livelier than its predecessor, and better at faster paces in particular.

Outsole

Unreliable grip in wet conditions has been a minor but persistent weakness with past Novablast models, so it’s good to see that Asics has addressed it with the Novablast 6, which uses ASICSGRIP rubber in the forefoot to improve the traction of the shoe, alongside durable AHAR LO rubber at the heel.

I had no trouble with grip during my testing of the Novablast 6, and both types of rubber are holding up well, with no signs of wear after 40 miles of running.

Asics Novablast 6 review: running performance

As a big fan of the Asics Megablast, I was excited to see that the foam from its midsole had been added to the Novablast 6, which is a much cheaper and more accessible shoe.

While there’s only a small chunk of FF Turbo Squared in the Novablast 6, it makes a big change to the ride of the shoe, which is more energetic than the Novablast 5 and performs better during fast runs in particular.

I liked the Novablast 5 a lot, but it was a shoe that I only really used for easy and steady runs, whereas the Novablast 6 retains the same comfort at the heel while increasing the energy return in the forefoot to make it a shoe that’s great for tempo and threshold runs alongside easy efforts.

During my testing, I used the Novablast 6 for a wide variety of runs and enjoyed it for almost everything — it’s not ideal for all-out intervals or races, but can handle all your other training runs.

I even did a short run wearing the Novablast 5 on one foot and the Novablast 6 on the other to check the difference, and there’s notably more punch from the forefoot on the new shoe.

It’s still not as impressive an all-rounder as the Megablast, but it’s $70 cheaper and a more stable and comfortable shoe. I’d recommend the Novablast as a great option for new and experienced runners alike, whereas the Megablast is harder to suggest buying, given the high price.

Should you buy the Asics Novablast 6?

The Asics Novablast 6 is definitely a shoe worth considering, whether you need a daily trainer to use for all your runs or a cushioned sneaker to pair with faster shoes in your running shoe rotation.

I like it more than long-running rivals like the Nike Pegasus 42 and Brooks Ghost 18, which are less cushioned, heavier, and have duller foams in the midsole.

If you don’t mind the extra cost, then the Asics Megablast is even lighter and more versatile, and if you prefer lower-stack running shoes, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a great daily trainer around the same price as the Novablast 6, though less stable.

Other strong alternatives include the Hoka Mach 7 and Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, which are great daily trainers that lean more towards speed than the Novablast 6, and so are a little less comfortable.

The Novablast 6 excels on many fronts and is up there with my favorite new shoes of the year so far. It’s comfortable, versatile, and even looks pretty good with jeans, depending on how you feel about the angular midsole design.

London Marathon Events (LME) announced on Friday, June 19, that the TCS London Marathon 2027 will expand into a two-day event. Taking place on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2027, this one-off format will allow 100,000 runners to cross the iconic finish line on The Mall over the course of the weekend.

London Marathon Events has said this is a “one-off format change.” Runners on both days will take on the same 26.2-mile route from Greenwich to Westminster. The double event allows more runners than ever to take part, helping meet the demand for places after 1.33 million people entered the ballot for the 2027 race.

The results of the ballot will be announced in July, with successful runners randomly assigned to either the Saturday or the Sunday race. Participants will not be allowed to take part in the in-person event on both days.

The elite women, elite female wheelchair athletes, championship, and 'good for age' women will lead the mass event one day, with the elite men, elite male wheelchair athletes, championship, and 'good for age' men leading the mass event on the other.

The TCS London Marathon 2026 proved to be one of the most historic editions in the race's history, with Kenya's Sabastian Sawe becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race, crossing the line in 1:59:30. Even more astounding was the fact that he wasn't alone in this victory, with Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finishing second in 1:59:41.

History was also made in the women's race, with the elite course record being broken by Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei, who crossed the finish line in 2:15:37.

The 2026 event was also the largest London Marathon recorded, with 55,000+ runners crossing the finish line.

Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said: “The 2027 TCS London Marathon Double is our most ambitious evolution to date – a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be.

“By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we’re opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world’s greatest marathon. We believe that more than £150m can be raised for good causes and the UK economy will have a £400m social and economic benefit."

I've run the London Marathon 5 times: Here's why this news matters

Being successful in the London Marathon ballot 11 years ago changed the course of my life forever. Training for and running my first marathon helped me overcome an eating disorder that had plagued my teens. Running has transformed my mental health, and has been a constant in my life ever since. It also ignited a life-changing love for running, which has led me to my current role as Fitness Editor at Tom's Guide, but also pushed me to cross the finish line of five more races.

Kathrine Switzer famously stated, "If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon" and she wasn't wrong. Every time I run 26.2 miles, it changes me, and allowing more runners to experience the magic of London on marathon day is, without a doubt, fantastic news.

Whether other Marathon Majors will follow suit remains to be seen, but I imagine they will, making marathon doubles a common occurrence in the racing calendar. Hopefully see you on the start line next April!

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The Asics Gel-Kayano is one of the most popular and long-running stability shoe lines on the market, and even as a neutral runner I've enjoyed the past few models of the sneaker.

Asics has made some big changes to the latest model of the Kayano compared with the Asics Gel-Kayano 32, with a new midsole setup that aims to produce stability while allowing your foot to move naturally.

It’s a well-cushioned shoe and comfortable, if not the softest. It’s stable too, but I found the Asics Gel-Kayano 33 a little heavy on the run and the ride isn’t as smooth and fun as it is with the best running shoes I've tested.

It gets the job done for easy runs, but it’s expensive and lacks versatility, and there are some stability shoes I prefer like the Hoka Arahi 8. I think fans of the Kayano line might be best served by picking up the Gel-Kayano 32 on sale.

Asics Gel-Kayano 33 review: price and availability

The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 launched in June 2026 and costs $170 in the U.S., and £180 in the U.K., a high price but one that’s in line with other top stability shoes like the Nike Structure Plus and Saucony Hurricane 25.

Asics Gel-Kayano 33 review: design and fit

The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 is available in 10 colors for the men’s and women’s shoe, and there are wide and extra wide models available too. I tested the shoe in my normal size and had a good fit, with plenty of room around the toes and a secure hold around the heel and midfoot.

It’s a well-cushioned shoe and although Asics hasn’t confirmed the exact stack height of the Gel-Kayano 33, it’s around 40mm at the heel and has an 8mm drop.

My US men’s size 10 weighs 11.1oz, which is not unusually heavy for a cushioned stability shoe like this — it’s similar in weight to past Gel-Kayano models and the Nike Structure Plus — but it’s certainly not a lightweight option.

Upper

The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 has an engineered mesh upper with plentiful padding around the collar to increase its step-in comfort.

It’s a good upper that held my foot securely and comfortably during runs and while it’s not the most breathable around the back of the shoe — in hot conditions the padding absorbs a lot of sweat — it is lightweight and more breathable around the forefoot.

Midsole

The big changes to the Gel-Kayano 33 are found in the FluidSupport midsole, which uses two different foams as well as a small slab of PureGel under the heel.

It’s a dual-density setup with a softer top layer made from FF Blast Max foam and a firmer bottom layer made from FF Blast Plus foam.

This design should bring a combination of both spring and stability, with the latter aided by sidewalls of foam to cradle the foot. However, while I found the shoe stable, it didn’t deliver a lot of spring.

Outsole

Asics uses a mix of ASICSGRIP and AHARPLUS rubber on the bottom of the Gel-Kayano 33, which gripped well for me in wet conditions. The rubber feels firmer at the heel and I’d expect good durability from the outsole, with no signs of wear and tear so far.

Asics Gel-Kayano 33 review: Running performance

I did five runs in the Asics Gel-Kayano 33, with all of them done at a mostly easy pace, with some steady sections just to see how the shoe felt at anything faster than plodding pace.

The ride is steady, supportive and quite forgettable. I expected the new midsole to feel softer and bouncier than the Gel-Kayano 32, but the Gel-Kayano 33 is quite firm. The FF Blast Max foam, which has a bit of bounce when used in the Asics Novablast 5, has been dulled by the firmer bottom layer.

It’s comfortable and supportive — the redesigned midsole still delivers a stable ride, which is the main point of the Gel-Kayano 33 line — but I was hoping for a livelier ride, or at least a bigger change from the Gel-Kayano 32.

The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 still performs well as a protective stability shoe and holds its own against the competition in this part of the market, and I’m sure it will be very durable and good for walking as well as running, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression after my runs.

Should you buy the Asics Gel-Kayano 33?

The Asics Gel-Kayano 33 is a reliable stability running shoe that will also be comfortable for long periods of standing and walking, but it doesn’t offer a better ride than its predecessor for me, and I’d look to pick up the Gel-Kayano 32 on sale instead.

Outside the Asics line-up, the Nike Structure Plus has a similar feel to the Kayano but a little more bounce from its midsole, while the Saucony Hurricane 25 is another stable option with a smoother ride feel, though it’s also pretty heavy.

The Hoka Arahi 8 is a lighter, smoother and less cushioned stability option that I prefer for daily training, and it’s also a bit cheaper, as is the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2, which is another highly-cushioned stability shoe.

While I didn’t expect as soft and springy a ride from the Gel-Kayano 33 as you get from neutral sneakers, because it is designed to offer stability as a priority, I did hope the new midsole setup would create more of a difference to past models.

It’s fair to say Adidas and running are having a bit of a moment. The sub-2-hour marathon barrier was broken for the first time by an Adidas athlete running in an Adidas shoe that weighs less than a bar of soap.

Record-breaking super shoes aside, Adidas has been rolling out shoes for us mere mortals that are still fun to go fast in or just enjoy the ride, while still squeezing in some of its most groundbreaking and innovative technologies.

While I’ve not stepped foot inside of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, here are three Adidas running shoes I have laced up that I think deserve their flowers.

1. Adidas Adizero Evo SL

The Evo SL is arguably as important a running shoe as the Evo 3, because it’s everywhere and for good reason. This is the running shoe I wear the most because it can do a bit of everything. It also looks great, which means you can keep it on when you’ve ticked off a speed session in them.

Adidas’ Lightstrike Pro midsole brings the bounce and liveliness to help them come alive at faster paces without needing a carbon plate. They feel great for comfortable daily runs, and this is a shoe you could stick on for a race, or you’ve got a speedy Parkrun on the agenda.

The Evo SL has now spawned new versions, including one with a woven upper. I think the OG Evo SL is the standout one and is always a joy to get out running in it.

2. Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

The Pro Evo might be the talk of the town right now, but we shouldn’t ignore the other carbon racer Adidas has in the ranks; that’s not too shabby. That’s the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. While carbon racers can be pricey, this is one of the more affordable top-tier options you can now pick up for a far more budget-friendly price. In return, you’re still getting a nice, lightweight shoe with a very breathable upper and Lightstrike Pro foam that’s both soft and springy. Match that up with Adidas’ carbon energy rods and your faster paces, and being in the Pro gets fast and lively quickly. Whether you’ve got more focused speedwork to tackle or need something to cruise at target marathon pace in training, the Pro 4 remains a beaut of a shoe.

3. Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR

The Evo SL ATR takes the already great Evo SL and sticks a bit more outsole on it. That doesn’t turn it into an all-out trail shoe. It does make it better equipped to handle wetter and muddier routes. Matching up the Continental rubber with 1.5mm lugs gives you that extra reassurance underfoot that you’re not going to be slipping and sliding around. The upper is also a breeze to wipe down when you’ve had to tackle more challenging conditions. It includes all the same shoe ingredients that make it a standout Adidas shoe. The Lightstrike Pro still brings the enjoyable bounce with a ride that’s versatile enough to let you mix up the paces. I’d say it takes a few runs to get that same great Evo SL feeling, but you will get it plus that tougher, grippier outsole.

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The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 arrived on my doorstep unexpectedly the week before I was due to travel to north Portugal for a family vacation, and the timing could not have been better, because they were the only running shoes I took on holiday and proved perfect for the task.

I knew I was going to be near some trails on the trip, but didn’t know what the terrain was going to be like, so I needed a versatile trail shoe that could also handle road runs and be comfortable for walking and traveling.

The Altamesa 500 v2 ticked all those boxes superbly well, and they’re certainly among the best trail-running shoes for those sticking mostly to tamer terrain, like myself.

They’re now my go-to trail shoes, and are actually comfortable enough to use for runs done exclusively on the road as well. Just be wary of running in deep mud or narrow, rocky tracks, where the wide design, shallow lugs and high stack of the Altamesa 500 v2 aren’t ideal.

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 review: price and availability

The TNF Altamesa 500 v2 launched in spring 2026 and costs $170 in the U.S. and £135 in the U.K., and though it isn’t cheap, it’s a more affordable alternative to the plated Vectiv Enduris 4 and Summit Vectiv Pro 3 shoes in the TNF line-up.

Some notable road-to-trail rivals are cheaper, however, such as the Hoka Challenger 8 and the New Balance Hierro v9, which are both $155.

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 review: design and fit

The Altamesa 500 v2 is currently available in five colors in each of the men’s and women’s shoe, and fit me well in my normal running shoe size, with a lot of room around the toes to give them room to swell on very long trail runs.

It’s listed as having a stacked height of 36mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot for a 6mm drop, but this might not include the insole, because it looks and feels like a higher-stack shoe than that.

Despite being so well cushioned, the Altamesa 500 v2 only weighs 10.2oz, which is surprisingly light for a trail-running shoe with a thick outsole.

Upper

The Altamesa 500 v2 has a hardy mesh upper that breathes well in the forefoot and has a reinforced toe cap to protect your feet from stray rocks and roots.

There’s a pull tab on the back of the shoe and some padding around the collar, but not so much that it felt too hot during my runs in the sun.

It’s not as structured and protective as some trail uppers, but I found it comfortable throughout my runs and it held my foot securely when running downhill or on uneven ground.

Midsole

The midsole in the Altamesa 500 v2 is made from TNF’s Dream foam, which is a springy nitrogen-infused TPU material.

It’s a soft and comfortable foam but rebounds quickly so it doesn’t feel too unstable on trails, and combined with the rocker shape of the midsole it delivers a fun, bouncy ride that shines on flatter trails.

There’s no plate in the midsole of the Altamesa 500 v2, either to protect the feet from rocks or deliver a more propulsive ride. For that you can look at the Vectiv shoes from TNF.

Outsole

The Surface CTRL rubber outsole on the shoe has 4mm lugs that are mostly chevron-shaped and quite broad.

It’s shoe designed to grip on harder terrain and be comfortable for road runs alongside trails, so it doesn’t have the deeper lugs required to bite into deep mud.

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 review: running performance

I ran around 35 miles in five days in the Altamesa 500 v2 while on vacation, mostly on hard-packed dirt trails but with several longer stints on rocky ground, and one run done entirely on the road.

Throughout my runs it proved to be exceptionally comfortable thanks to the Dream midsole, and as someone who’s not used to doing a lot of hilly running, the Altamesa 500 v2 protected my legs well on the downhills in particular.

It’s not just a comfortable foam either. You get a lot of energy return from the Dream midsole, and when you’re on flatter, runnable terrain the rocker and springy foam deliver a very enjoyable ride at slow and steady paces.

Despite being a big shoe, the Altamesa 500 v2 isn’t too heavy either, and when I attempted to speed up a couple of climbs it didn’t feel too cumbersome.

However, when I was running on narrow, rocky trails where my landing spots were smaller and often involved the edge of rocks, the large, wide design of the shoe was a drawback. It’s not very agile or as stable as a firmer shoe, and I had to be careful when descending in particular.

It’s not built to be a shoe that will handle technical mountain trails, and though you can pick your way through short, tricky sections well enough in the Altamesa 500 v2, it’s best kept on milder terrain where you get the most from the bouncy midsole.

The grip was mostly good for me in dry conditions, though when running on large, flatter rocks it doesn’t cling to them as securely as sneakers with a Vibram MegaGrip outsole in my experience.

Should you buy the The North Face Altamesa 500 v2?

The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 are not the cheapest running shoes out there (although they are actually good value in the U.K.), but if you’re all about comfort and mix up your runs between roads and light trails, I think they’re the top option on the market I’ve tested.

If you want a more versatile trail-shoe that can handle more technical tracks but is still comfortable, I was impressed by the Kiprun Kipsummit Max when I tested it, while the Hoka Speedgoat 7 offers a firmer and more agile ride that’s better suited to narrow, technical trails than the Altamesa 500 v2.

The Hoka Challenger 8 and New Balance Hierro v9 are two other strong road-to-trail options with highly cushioned designs. Both are good, but I prefer the springier ride feel of the Dream foam in the Altamesa 500 v2, so have it as my top road-to-trail pick right now.

There are so many great carbon plate running shoes available now that testing than can start to feel a little repetitive. World Athletics regulations limit these shoes to one plate and a maximum stack height of 40mm, with the result that many shoes have converged on a similar design and feel.

This is not the case with the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3, however, which uses an incredibly soft and springy foam in its midsole to create a ride feel unlike almost any other shoe on the market.

It’s very fun to run fast in the shoe as a result, but the soft midsole won’t suit everyone — I prefer a firmer, snappier ride in my racer — and it makes the Endorphin Elite 3 unstable, though it's an improvement on its predecessor with regards to stability.

In my Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 review I’ll compare it to the best carbon plate running shoes available, and explain the pros and cons of its super-soft design.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 review: Price and availability

The Endorphin Elite 3 launched in June 2026 and costs $290, making it one of the most expensive carbon plate running shoes on the market.

Saucony also has the cheaper Endorphin Pro 5 in its lineup, which is a more stable carbon plate racing shoe that costs $240 but lacks the springy IncrediRun foam used in the Elite 3.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 review: Design and fit

The Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 launched in four colors, including the white design I tested. I found that it fit me well in my normal running shoe size, with a dialed-in racing fit that’s fairly close around the toes without being too tight.

As with most carbon racing shoes, it has stack height in line with World Athletics limits, standing 39.5mm tall at the heel and 31.5mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop.

It weighs 7.9oz in my US men’s size 10, which is light but not especially so for a carbon plate racing shoe these days. Most super-shoes I test are under 7oz in my size, and there are some astoundingly light options like the Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 3, which is under 3.5oz.

Upper

The lightweight mesh upper has a bootie-style fit that I found hugged the foot securely and comfortably.

It’s a flexible material that breathes well in hot conditions, and while it does allow for some lateral movement on the run, the upper held my foot securely enough for fast efforts.

Midsole

The Endorphin Elite 3 uses the same IncrediRun midsole foam introduced on the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, but removes the medial side cutout and adds foam around the heel and lateral side of the shoe to make it a little more stable than its predecessor.

This IncrediRun foam lives up to its name by delivering an incredibly soft, springy ride, even when compared to the foams in other super-shoes.

Running through the midsole is a slotted carbon plate, which is stiffer than on the Endorphin Elite 2 to create a faster transition from heel to toe.

Outsole

The Endorphin Elite 3 uses a thin layer of Saucony’s PWRTRAC to cover most of the forefoot and heel.

Grip was a concern with the Endorphin Elite 2, and although it has been improved on the Endorphin Elite 3, it’s still a bit slippery in wet conditions, I found, and I had to be careful when taking sharp corners in the rain.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 review: Running performance

I did a lot of training and raced in the Endorphin Elite 2, so the extremely soft ride feel of the IncrediRun midsole in the Endorphin Elite 3 didn’t come as a surprise, but it’s still a dramatically different shoe to most I tested.

Your foot sinks deep into the midsole foam, especially at slower paces, then springs back up quickly, with the foam, plate and rocker design all combining to push you forward.

It’s a strange but enjoyable sensation that feels especially good when you’re running fast with control, such as at the start of a race or early in a tempo or threshold workout.

I found that when I pushed to my fastest paces, the foam firmed up a little, which was welcome as it helped to speed up the transition from heel to toe.

The Endorphin Elite 3 can still feel slightly sluggish on this front compared to some racers with firmer midsole foams, though, and at times I felt like I was struggling to maintain my cadence late in hard runs because of the soft underfoot feel.

I ran a 5K parkrun in 16:18 using the Endorphin Elite 3, aiming to keep the pace under control for the first half of the race and push on in the second. It felt great when cruising at the start, but in the second half I’d have preferred a firmer ride, and I’m not sure it’s a standout racing option for shorter events.

The comfort of the soft midsole lends itself well to marathons and long, hard training runs though, because my legs always felt fresh the day after a hard run in the Endorphin Elite 3.

Although Saucony has worked to increase the stability of the shoe compared with the Endorphin Elite 2, I’d still say the Endorphin Elite 3 is one of the wobblier racing options because of its soft midsole, and you have to be careful when taking turns at speed.

Should you buy the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3?

For some runners, the super-soft and springy ride of the Endorphin Elite 3 will be irresistible. It’s very fun and undoubtedly quick too, and if you love squishy shoes, the only one I’ve tried that matches it is the Asics Metaspeed Ray, which is lighter but even more unstable.

I find the shoe a little too soft for my own taste, and it’s a shame that it comes in heavier than most rivals in the super-shoe market. It’s still very light, but shoes like the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 are a couple of ounces lighter in my size.

Those two shoes remain my preferred picks overall, offering lighter and more aggressive designs that I find help me maintain my pace, and I also rate the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure highly as a short-distance racer thanks to its extremely lightweight design.

I do think the Endorphin Elite 3 is a little more forgiving to slower paces than those shoes, as long as you don’t find it unstable, and its distinct ride is great, but it doesn’t quite hit the performance heights of my favorite racers.

Today is the day to lace up your best running shoes and get out for a run. Why? It's Global Running Day 2026, and if you happen to be wearing one of the best Apple Watches or best Garmin watches, you can earn yourself a special award.

This is a little extra incentive to notch up a run — whether it's outside or on one of the best treadmills at the gym — it all counts. And you get a nice digital souvenir to add to your collection. I personally love collecting Apple's limited edition badges, so if I can get out the door for a quick 5K today, I definitely will.

If you're a determined Apple or Garmin wearer (or you just want a little bit of extra motivation today), then you're going to want to know how to earn these limited edition trinkets.

The good news is that in both cases, it couldn't be any simpler.

An extra bonus from Strava and Runna

There's an added bonus up for grabs today if you happen to use Strava. Recording a run of 5K or more today will give you free access to Runna Premium for two weeks. Runna is our number one pick for the best running apps and a former Tom's Guide Fitness Awards winner.

The app offers a personalized training plan that uses AI to calibrate itself based on your workouts. As your performance increases, so does the plan. If you want to know more about how this works, check out our in-depth Runna review.

If you do decide to head out for a run, whether you want to attempt a PR or just grab one of the aforementioned awards, have fun. I'm coming back from an injury that prevented my marathon attempt this season, so it's slow going for me, but I still can't help wanting to earn those badges.

More from Tom's Guide

• The best treadmills I've tested with hundreds of indoor miles
• I tested the Garmin Forerunner 70 for two weeks — and it’s my favorite running watch for the money in 2026
• I'm a weightlifting coach — 3 exercises I prefer over lunges for building strong, stable legs and knees over 40

I get to test the best running shoes for my job and as an obsessive runner who’s almost always marathon training, it’s a job I adore.

I’m able to try the most exciting new shoes on the market, and discover gems like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, which has been a fixture in my running shoe rotation ever since I first used it in early 2025.

A lot of incredible running shoes have launched since then, including the Adidas Hyperboost Edge super-trainer, but if I could only pick one shoe from the brand to use for my training, it’s still the Evo SL — here’s five reasons why.

It’s very light and fast

The Evo SL has a stack height of 39mm at the heel and 33mm at the forefoot, so it’s by no means a minimal shoe, but the foam used is Adidas’ Lightstrike Pro, which is a very light material, so the shoes weigh just 7.9oz in my US men’s size 9.5.

That light weight, coupled with the energetic midsole foam and the sharp rocker on the shoe, means that the Evo SL is great for fast runs, and I’ve done a variety of workouts in it during my 100+ miles of testing, from short track intervals to long tempo runs on the road.

It’s comfortable enough for easy runs too

The Evo SL excels at fast paces, but it’s not just a speed shoe in my opinion, because it’s also comfortable for cruising through your easy and steady daily training runs too.

It’s cushioned enough to protect the legs on these runs, and while it’s not the most stable shoe because of a cutout on the medial side of the midsole, it’s been fine for me as a neutral runner, and its versatility makes it one of the best all-rounders on the market.

It’s great value

At $150, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is not an extremely cheap shoe, but the level of performance it offers is in line with top super-trainers like the Hyperboost Edge and Asics Megablast, and these will set you back $200 or more.

Its price-to-performance ratio makes it a very good value in my opinion, and it’s also a shoe that’s now often on sale, because it’s been around for a while.

It comes in different versions, including a winterized model

The Evo SL has been a huge success for Adidas, and rather than overhauling the shoe with a new version, which would risk ruining it, the brand has so far opted to release modified models of it instead.

These include the Adidas Adizero Evo SL Woven and Adidas Adizero Evo SL EXO, which have different uppers to the original shoe — some people struggled with the fit of the OG Evo SL, though I’ve found it great myself.

The alternate model I really like is the Adidas Adizero Evo SL ATR, which is a winter-ready version of the shoe. It has a water-repellent upper and improved grip for wet roads, but retains the bouncy Lightstrike Pro midsole design.

As someone who trains through the British winter, which is never short of rainy days, the improved grip and weatherproof upper on the Evo SL ATR have made it my go-to for runs in inclement conditions.

It’s more fun than most running shoes

The last reason I rate the Evo SL so highly is the simplest — it’s just great fun to run in. It’s bouncy, fast, and light, and I always look forward to using it.

I test a lot of running shoes, and when I compare them directly to the Evo SL, its springy ride always shines through and puts a smile on my face.

More from Tom's Guide

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• Coros Pace 4 vs Coros Pace 3 vs Coros Pace Pro: Which is the best Coros watch for you?
• Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: should you upgrade?

It's been nearly a month, and I'm still bitter. Like several other members of the Tom's Guide fitness team, I was due to take part in the London Marathon last month, and I had my sights firmly set on a new personal record.

I'd trained rigorously throughout the winter and, after a disappointing first attempt at the marathon in 2023, I was ready to take on the course again. I planned to try and complete the race in under four hours, with a target finish time of somewhere between 3 hours 45 minutes and 3 hours 59 minutes. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

The best training plans for running a successful marathon set out a mixture of easy runs, tempo runs, and long runs that increase week by week. Then, as you get closer to race day, you reduce your mileage in a tapering process. I was in the midst of this when I took a few days away for a family holiday. No running, no exercise, and a little too much food and drink.

Four miles into my first run back after five days and two weeks out from race day (very early on a cold, damp morning), I felt a short stab of pain in the back of my right calf that intensified with every step I took. I stopped the run immediately and walked home. When it didn't go away for the next couple of days, I spoke to a physiotherapist who confirmed I had a grade 1 soleus muscle strain. In the best case, it would take three or four weeks to recover.

Runners can be stubborn characters, and right up until two days before the marathon, I harboured a faint hope I might be able to compete. As part of my preparation, I had been working with a PT named Matteo based at London's Pillar Wellbeing health club.

Matteo, a runner himself, advised me (in no uncertain terms) that attempting a marathon on a pulled calf muscle wasn't a good idea. Frankly, it was dangerous.

Matteo reasoned that my two primary reasons for attempting the race — to run a personal record and enjoy the atmosphere — would both be voided by the damaged soleus.

He told me, from experience, that trying to run through an injury destroys any enjoyment of taking part in an event. There will always be another run.

Suffice to say, I withdrew my place in the marathon and let the seven stages of grief do their thing. Coming out the other side, I have a new appreciation for a particular exercise that I'll never neglect again. It'll be a firm fixture in my core routine and warm-up from now on.

The one exercise I'll never ignore

Before a run, I'll generally do a few pogo jumps to warm up, but in all my resistance or weights training, I've never put much stock in calf raises. Well, that changes now.

To execute a calf raise, you need to stand with your feet hip-width apart, either on the ground or on the edge of a step or stair. Next, you stand tall — lifting your heels away from the ground to raise yourself onto the balls of your feet. Slowly, and with control, lower your heels to the ground again.

If balancing on your feet is tricky, you can try seated calf raises as an alternative.

To make the exercise harder, all you need to do is stand on the edge of a step to create a deficit and drop your heels below ground level. This will stretch out your ankles and Achilles tendons and increase your range of motion. The soleus muscle helps with plantar flexion (pushing your toes down), which is crucial for running well but also contributes to your posture. Strengthening the soleus, along with the larger gastrocnemius muscles that protect the knees, is crucial to protecting yourself against strains and tears. Especially if, like me, you're getting on in years.

How to do calf raises

• Stand with your feet hip-width apart
• Maintain a tall posture and engage your core
• Place your hands by your sides, on your hips, or behind your head. You can also hold weights
• Rise onto the balls of your feet with control, counting three to four seconds
• Pause at the top and squeeze your calves
• Slowly lower your heels to the ground again
• If you are opting for deficit calf raises, lower your heels as far as you can while maintaining your balance, then drive upward again
• Continue for 3-4 sets and 6-12 reps.

The silver lining

Not being able to complete the event you've trained for stings, obviously. But the great thing about fitness is that none of the work I put in to get there is wasted. I'm stronger and faster than I've been in a long time, thanks to the marathon training plan I put in place at the start of the year.

And I've also been able to get to grips with the truly excellent New Balance SC Elite v5 — the carbon-plated running shoe I was set to wear on marathon day. This was my first experience with NB's flagship carbon-plate shoe, and the spring and bounce are incredible. What's more, the shoe is one of the lightest I've ever had the pleasure of running in.

If you want the specifics, it has a stack height of 40mm at the heel, which drops to 32mm at the forefoot for an 8mm offset. It’s lighter than its predecessor, with the SC Elite v5 weighing 7.4oz in a US men’s size 9.5 compared to 8.6oz for the SC Elite. The midsole is made 100% PEBA foam, which is the bounciest, lightest, and best material in New Balance's arsenal.

I've racked up many, many miles in this shoe over the last couple of months and have found it to be comfortable and propulsive off the toe. If you want to know even more about how this shoe shapes up, read my colleague Nick's in-depth review of it right here.

Final thoughts

Facing any kind of setback or failure is uncomfortable, and I don't want to get too prosaic here, but if you can find some wins — however small — in the process, then that can really help salve the wound. In my case, I've got (much) more knowledge about my muscles than I had a month ago and a newfound appreciation for an exercise I had previously ignored.

At the end of the day, my injury and failure to race were my own fault, and nobody else's. I failed to warm up properly or strengthen the muscles that I relied on. But life is just a big classroom, and I'm now positive I won't make the same mistake twice. I just hope that New Balance drops the SC Elite v6 in time for 2027's marathon season.

Have you had an event or competition derailed by an injury? How did you move past it or learn something new? Let me know in the comments section below — I'd love to hear from you.

More from Tom's Guide

• Amazon’s New Balance sale is better than I expected — 21 running shoe and apparel deals from $15
• 6 ways to save on buying running shoes — I test sneakers for a living, and you don’t need to spend big money to get great shoes
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After over a decade of testing running shoes, my main piece of advice for anyone seeking value is to buy last-gen models rather than the latest version of popular shoes.

This advice is based on the fact that brands often only make minor updates to new shoes, so the older shoe will offer the same level of performance for less.

However, sometimes there are significant updates to a new shoe, and that’s the case with the Nike Pegasus 42, which has a new midsole design that I have found improves the ride compared with the Nike Pegasus 41.

The question then becomes whether it’s worth making the saving to get the older shoe, even if it's not quite as good as the new one. In the case of the Pegasus, I still think it’s the case, because you can get the Nike Pegasus 41 for just $79 at Nike right now using the code START.

Even if a deal as good as that isn’t always available on the Pegasus 41, it’s always likely to be in a sale somewhere now that the Pegasus 42 is out, so it’s still worth considering over the new shoe.

If you’re picking between the two shoes, here are the questions you need answered.

What’s new with the Nike Pegasus 42?

The main update to the Pegasus 42 is that it has a full-length Air Zoom unit in the midsole, surrounded by ReactX foam. The Pegasus 41 instead used two Air Zoom pods, one under the heel and one under the forefoot.

When testing the Pegasus 42 and doing a short run with it on one foot and the Pegasus 4 on the other, I found that having the full-length unit creates a smoother ride, and the new shoe has a little more pop off the toes, too.

According to Nike, the new shoe somehow also has 3mm more foam under the forefoot while keeping the same stack height and 10mm drop as the Pegasus 41, which also smooths out the ride a little and makes it a little more comfortable under the toes.

Nike has also tweaked the upper on the new shoe to improve the breathability and fit, but I didn’t really notice a big difference on this front — brands almost always say they’ve improved the fit and breathability of an upper with new shoes, I find.

The outsole has been changed to, with the new shoe having less rubber coverage than the Pegasus 41, which might mean the Pegasus 42 is a little less durable in that area, but I expect both shoes to be very long-lasting.

Finally, the Pegasus 42 is actually heavier than the Pegasus 41, probably because of the full-length Air Zoom unit. It’s 10.8oz in my US men’s size 10, whereas the Pegasus 41 is 10.3oz in the same size.

How much will you pay for the Nike Pegasus 41?

The full price of the Pegasus 41 is $140 and the deal you can get right now in the Nike sale is exceptionally good, because it stacks the START code on top of an existing discount of the sneaker. I expect $70-$79 is about as low as the shoe will go this year in big sales periods.

I think you’ll often be able to get the Pegasus 41 for under $100 though — the shoe is widely available for that at sites like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Footlocker right now, which is a considerable saving on the $145 the Pegasus 42 will set you back.

It’s worth clicking around the various colors of the shoe when shopping on the Nike site too, as older designs will usually be reduced by more.

For its part, the Pegasus 42 could well start to appear in sales itself later this year, especially during the Black Friday period. It’s unlikely it will be as cheap as the Pegasus 41, but the equation could change if the price difference is more like $10 rather than $40+.

Nike Pegasus 41 vs Nike Pegasus 42: is it worth paying more for the latest model?

There are improvements to the Pegasus 42 that make the ride smoother and livelier, but these are a little offset by the gain in weight and reduced outsole coverage.

Most importantly, however, they don’t make a significant change to the performance of the shoe, in my opinion. It’s still a comfortable daily trainer that’s good for easy runs and gym workouts, and not particularly impressive at faster speeds.

At the same price, or for $5 more, I’d get the Pegasus 42 myself, but with any sizeable discount, I do think the Pegasus 41 is the smarter buy for most runners, so I’d keep your eyes peeled for deals on the older shoe.

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• Forget pricey new running shoes — I would get these last-gen Hoka, Saucony and New Balance at a steep discount instead
• Coros Pace 4 vs Coros Pace 3 vs Coros Pace Pro: Which is the best Coros watch for you?
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The Nike Pegasus 42 has been one of the most popular running shoes on the market for over four decades, and you don’t get to 42 models of a running shoe without doing something right, but you also get there by not doing anything too wrong.

Nike tends not to make big changes to the Pegasus because of its popularity, and although the Pegasus 42 has an upgraded midsole design, it certainly felt familiar to me on the run as someone who has tested the last eight models of the shoe.

That familiar feel is a mixed blessing. On one hand, if you love the Nike Pegasus 41, then you’ll probably love the Pegasus 42, which offers value, durability, and a balanced ride that will work well for a variety of runners.

On the other hand, it also means the Pegasus 42 feels a little outdated compared to the best running shoes I’ve tested from Nike and other brands, which offer more comfort, bounce, and fun thanks to having higher stacks with springier foams.

Nike Pegasus 42 review: price and availability

The Nike Pegasus 42 is available now and costs $145 in the U.S. and £130 in the U.K., which puts it at the more affordable end of the running shoe spectrum.

It’s the cheapest of the three Pegasus models in the Nike line-up, sitting below the Nike Pegasus Plus and Nike Pegasus Premium, which use ZoomX foam in their midsoles to create a livelier ride.

Nike Pegasus 42 review: design and fit

The Nike Pegasus 42 is available in a wide variety of colors, and in keeping with past models, there will be lots of special editions of the shoe with designs related to college and professional sports teams.

I found the shoe fit me well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I’ve used on all past Pegasus models I’ve tested and used across the Nike range.

The Pegasus 42 has a drop of 10mm and a stack height of 37mm at the heel and 27mm at the forefoot, which makes it a relatively low-stack shoe these days — the shoes in Nike’s Vomero line are all above 40mm, for example, as are many daily trainers from other brands.

It’s fairly heavy for its stack height, weighing 10.8oz in my US men’s size 10. Other daily trainers with a similar stack height, like the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 or Hoka Mach 7, are below 9oz.

Upper

The Nike Pegasus 42 has an updated upper that’s designed to provide a more secure fit and be more breathable than the one on the Pegasus 41.

It’s made from a lightweight mesh and has a lot of padding on the tongue and collar of the shoe, which can feel a little oppressive in hot conditions, especially the tongue.

Overall, though, I found the fit comfortable, but I didn’t notice a major improvement compared with the Pegasus 41, which also fit me well.

Midsole

The main updates to the Nike Pegasus 42 are in the midsole, which now has a full-length Air Zoom unit as opposed to the smaller pods under the forefoot and heel in the Pegasus 41.

This full-length unit is designed to increase the energy return of the shoe, and Nike has also managed to add 3mm of foam under the forefoot without changing the drop of the Pegasus 42, so there’s a bit more cushioning in that area.

Nike’s ReactX foam encases the Air Zoom unit in the midsole. This is a foam primarily designed for comfort and protection, rather than a high level of responsiveness, and the ride of the shoe isn’t as squishily soft and springy as many rival running shoes.

Outsole

The Pegasus 42 has good rubber coverage on the bottom of the shoe, with the waffle-tread outsole delivering good grip throughout my testing.

As with past Pegasus shoes, it’s also an outsole that I expect will deliver good durability, even if you run on light park trails as well as roads.

Nike Pegasus 42 review: running performance

I used the Pegasus 42 for a variety of training runs during my testing, including a couple of easy-to-steady progression runs, strides, and several easy efforts.

Straight out of the box, I did notice the changes to the midsole design, which make the Pegasus 42 feel smoother and a little livelier at faster paces than the Pegasus 41, thanks to the full-length Air Zoom unit. It makes the heel and forefoot of the shoe feel more connected, so you roll through your footstrike more naturally.

The foam is still not the most energetic, though, with the ReactX being good for cushioning the impact of running but not especially soft and bouncy, and the larger Air Zoom unit has made the Pegasus 42 heavier than its predecessor.

While it feels good at easy paces, I didn’t love the Pegasus 42 for anything faster than that. Even steady paces feel a bit labored in the shoe, and there are much lighter and more versatile options that have a similar stack height to the shoe, like the Hoka Mach 7, New Balance Rebel v5, and Adidas Adizero Evo SL.

The fact that it’s not a max-cushioned shoe means the Pegasus 42 does stand out a bit in a market full of super-stack shoes, but it also means I didn’t find it as comfortable, especially under the forefoot, as more cushioned picks.

It gives a more grounded ride feel that some runners might well prefer, but I’d rather have the extra cushioning myself for daily training, especially as the Pegasus isn’t as light and fast as you might expect for a lower-stack shoe.

Should you buy the Nike Pegasus 42?

If you love the Nike Pegasus 41, and a lot of people do, you can roll on to the Pegasus 42, and I have little doubt you’ll enjoy it as a similar but slightly improved shoe.

It’s a good value shoe in general, too, especially as it has a durable design with a full outsole and often pops up in sales, and the Pegasus 42 will suit new runners as a safe pick that works well for a variety of running styles.

If you have a bigger budget, I would upgrade to the Nike Vomero Plus, which is a much more cushioned and bouncy shoe than the Pegasus 42, and actually even a little lighter despite having so much more foam underfoot.

There are some excellent options available at the same price as the Pegasus 42 from other brands, too.

The Asics Novablast 5 and Hoka Clifton 10 are both more comfortable and enjoyable for daily training, while the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 and Hoka Mach 7 are much lighter and better all-rounders for easy and fast runs.

There’s still nothing particularly wrong with the latest model of the Pegasus, but it lacks some of the verve you can now expect to get even from more affordable running shoes.

Amazfit makes some of my favorite wallet-friendly alternatives to popular Garmin smartwatch models. Take the new Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro; it offers many of the same high-end design elements, features, and training tools as Garmin's top running watch, the Forerunner 970, for way less money.

I brought the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro on a trip to Hawaii's Big Island, where I spent a week testing its performance while running, snorkeling, swimming, and hiking. Here are the five most important things you should know about the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro.

1. It's significantly cheaper than the Forerunner 970

Priced at $450 via Amazfit directly, the Cheetah 2 Pro is a full $300 cheaper than the Garmin Forerunner 970. It's also less than half the cost of the Garmin Fenix 8, the brand's top multisport watch, which starts at $1,000.

Even if you step down to Garmin's mid-level running watch, the Forerunner 570, the Cheetah 2 Pro is still $100 more affordable.

2. The design feels premium

The Cheetah 2 Pro is one of Amazfit's more attractive watches, with a two-tone black-and-silver design that pairs a titanium chassis with a plastic housing. The result is a reasonably lightweight 46.5 g wearable that should hold up to the daily wear and tear. By comparison, the Forerunner 970 is 56 g.

Similar to other recent Amazfit models, this one features a faux tachometer along the outer edge of the screen, a subtle yet appreciated nod to the mechanical watches of yore.

The screen is sapphire crystal, which is more resilient to scratches and chips than reinforced glass. Two buttons, with ample gnarling for grip and plenty of tactile response, adorn either side of the case. These can be used for navigation, or you can use the reasonably responsive touchscreen, which maxes out at a brightness of 3,000 nits, making it easily visible in direct sunlight. It also supports always-on mode.

The Cheetah 2 Pro only comes in 48mm, which is larger than I prefer. It's also fairly thick at 15.6mm compared to 12.9mm for the Garmin Forerunner 970.

3. Loads of running tools

The Cheetah 2 Pro is a technology-packed smartwatch designed specifically with hardcore runners in mind. Still, the wearable supports over 170 workout modes.

It also features dual-band GPS tracking, an onboard alimeter for precise elevation data, and the brand's latest health sensor array with 24/7 heart rate tracking and blood oxygen readings. Amazfit's latest additionally plays nicely with popular third-party fitness tracking apps like Strava.

In terms of metrics for runners, the Cheetah 2 Pro provides insights into more than pace, heart rate, and speed; it also measures your vertical oscillation, ground contact time, V02 max, training load, training effect, and power. It can additionally generate custom-tailored training plans — support I look forward to testing — and track running performance over extended periods.

That said, training and recovery insights aren't quite as comprehensive as those found on the best Garmin watches, though the Cheetah 2 Pro comes pretty darn close. It also generates fairly detailed daily sleep reports.

Like the Forerunner 970 and Fenix 8, the Cheetah 2 Pro supports downloading route maps for offline navigation with turn-by-turn directions and automatic rerouting.

That said, in my experience, Amazfit's take on offline maps is far less intuitive/a lot more clunky than Garmin's. However, there's a chance that Amazfit has tweaked the maps experience for the better with this latest premium release (stay tuned for my full review).

4. The right amount of 'smarts'

To store all those offline maps, along with no shortage of playlists and podcasts for offline listening, the Cheetah 2 Pro offers 32GB of onboard storage. It also had NFC for tap-to-pay, an onboard speaker and microphone for taking Bluetooth calls from the wrist, mirrored smartphone notifications for both Android and iOS devices, and a handy voice memo app.

Compared to the best full-featured smartwatches in 2026, like the Apple Watch Series 11 and Google Pixel Watch 4, these smart features may not seem like much; however, they are a near-match with the smart features found in the Garmin Forerunner 970.

5. The included strap is a disappointment

When I first unboxed the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro, I was instantly enamored with the included silicone strap. Giving off the vibes of a classic 1960s skin dive watch strap, my infatuation was sadly short-lived.

For starters, the strap came with one mis-sized spring bar (which should've been a sign of things to come), causing frustration when I initially attempted to affix it to the watch. Fortunately, my favorite cheapo Timex dumb watch makes use of the same-sized spring bars as the Cheetah 2 Pro, so I was able to borrow one for the duration of my trip.

Unfortunately, after swapping the Amazfit strap back and forth between the Cheetah 2 Pro and my Timex a handful of times, a tear began to develop in the silicone around one of the spring bars, effectively rendering the strap useless.

As a result, I had to swap in my Timex strap on the Cheetah 2 Pro for the last few days, resulting in it sitting somewhat awkwardly on my wrist (see image above). Of course, a crappy strap shouldn't make or break a smartwatch, given most folks swap out the standard-issued one sooner or later, but the tear is disappointing nonetheless.

That aside, after one week with the Cheetah 2 Pro, I'm pretty impressed. The question is, can it truly compete tit-for-tat with Garmin's top running watch, the Forerunner 970, when it comes to accuracy, durability, and reliability... all for $300 less?

I'll attempt to answer that question in my forthcoming Cheetah 2 Pro review. Stay tuned!

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m a running noob doing my first 5K — here’s all the tech I’m using to cross the finish line
• I walked 5,000 steps with the Garmin Forerunner 570 vs Apple Watch Ultra 3 — and the winner was nearly too close to call
• I logged 37 miles at MWC 2026 on my Garmin Instinct 3 — here are 5 things I learned

Part of the appeal of running is that it’s a simple and cheap sport to get into. You don’t need other people to do it or to book a court or field, and it doesn't require a lot of specialist equipment.

You do need the right footwear, however, and the price of the best running shoes has rocketed over the last decade or so that I’ve been reviewing them.

Top cushioned daily trainers will now routinely set you back $160-$200, while the best carbon plate running shoes for racing are more like $250-$300. Even "entry-level shoes" are generally $130-$150.

If those prices seem crazy to you, the good news is you don’t have to pay them. You can get great running shoes for a lot less than that if you shop smart, and hopefully these six tips will help you do just that.

Shop last-gen models

The biggest tip I have for buying cheap running shoes is to ignore the latest models. Popular sneakers get updated every year, and these updates can be very minimal, so the older model is usually a better value in sales.

I’ve picked out several last-gen running shoes that are as good, or even better, than the latest models to start you off, and in general, whenever a new model of a popular sneaker is launched, it’s a good time to start hunting for its predecessor in sales.

Consider budget options

Most running brands have some cheap sneakers in their line-up, and you can also find shoes for $50 or less at big retailers like Walmart.

These generally aren’t as durable and comfortable as pricier options, and if you’re someone who’s running most days and doing distances over five miles regularly, it will be worth upgrading beyond these budget picks, but they can get the job done for beginners and casual runners.

Go and try shoes on

This is particularly important if you’re buying a budget shoe, but even if you’re going for a popular model, it’s worth going to a store and trying on a few shoes.

There’s a lot of information out there about things like gait analysis that can help find the perfect shoe for you, but if a sneaker feels good when you do a test run in it, it usually works out to be the right shoe for you.

This can help you find a cheaper model that actually suits you and reduce the risk of wasting time and potentially money sending shoes back.

Look for sales on popular lines

Buying running shoes in sales is obviously a good way to pay less, and it helps to hunt for the right kind of sneakers, because not all of them are subject to regular discounts.

Generally, the best deals on running shoes tend to be on popular cushioned models rather than carbon plate racers or so-called "super-trainers" that use the latest tech and materials.

For starters, some shoes I’d look for in sales include the last-gen models of the Nike Pegasus, Brooks Ghost, Hoka Clifton and Asics Novablast.

These are all reliable, popular options that suit a wide range of runners and often the first sneakers to get discounts in big sales periods like Black Friday.

Join membership programmes

Handing over your details to brands isn’t desirable, I get it, but if you sign up for the free membership programmes on running websites, you’ll often get exclusive access to deals and bonuses like discounts on your birthday.

Running clubs sometimes get their own discount codes too, and if you’re a member of an athletics association, there could be deals available as part of that membership, so it’s worth checking.

Consider the durability of your shoes

If value is what you prize most in your shoes, then it’s not just the initial price that matters. If your shoes last 500 miles of running instead of 400, it’s worth paying more for them upfront.

It’s hard to rate a running shoe’s durability — different runners go through shoes quicker than others, depending on things like their foot shape and the impact they put into the midsole with their running style — but there are some features to look out for.

One is the outsole — how much of the bottom of the shoe is covered, and how thick the rubber is. Many running shoes have quite minimal outsoles to reduce weight and improve the ride, but this can compromise durability.

Also check how thin the upper is, especially if you have a wide foot that puts more pressure on the material, and research the midsole foam by checking reviews from other runners — some really soft and springy foams can lose their bounce quickly, while some that are firmer initially, break in to become softer and then last longer.

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Running shoes don’t reach 18 generations if they’re not beloved, and the Brooks Ghost line has been one of the most popular options with runners for almost two decades at this point.

The reason for this isn’t that it’s the fastest or flashiest among the best running shoes; it’s because it’s extremely dependable. It’s cushioned and comfortable, very durable, good value, and works well for a wide range of runners.

It’s a shoe that runners of all levels turn to for their daily training as a result, and Brooks doesn’t make major changes to each new version of the Ghost so returning runners get the familiar ride feel they’re expecting.

The Brooks Ghost 18 has just launched, and it’s an evolution of the Brooks Ghost 17, with updates to the upper creating a more comfortable fit.

What’s new with the Brooks Ghost 18?

The main updates to the Ghost 18 are found in the upper, which is made with a new two-color air mesh material to improve both the comfort and security of the fit.

Brooks shoes are renowned for their step-in comfort and the padding around the collar and on the tongue of the shoe will give a plush feel, while the updated mesh ensures the Ghost 18 is still breathable.

Underfoot there’s a new Ortholite X-60 sockliner sitting on top of the nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole, the same midsole foam used on the Ghost 17.

DNA Loft v3 is a foam used on many Brooks shoes that I’ve tested and it provides a well-balanced ride that’s comfortable but still responsive at faster paces.

It’s also a very consistent and durable material, in that it feels just as good at the end of a long run as it did at the start, and can stand up to hundreds of miles of running.

The outsole of the shoe sticks to the same long-lasting rubber as the Ghost 17 and the drop stays at 10mm, so runners who are long-term fans of the line should get a familiar underfoot feel from the Ghost 18 while enjoying the improved fit of the upper.

Join the Brooks Run Club for the chance to win a $30 gift code

The Brooks Run Club is free to join and brings with it regular rewards like early access to limited edition shoes and a free set of socks on your birthday when you spend $50.

Right now there’s also a promotion running that gives you the chance to win a $30 gift card if you sync your Brooks Run Club membership with your fitness tracker or Strava account.

The promotion runs through June 2026 and every month 100 members who have synced their accounts will win the $30 gift card, which you could use to knock the price of the Ghost 18 down to $120 if you’re keen to pick up the new shoe.

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I’ve been testing running shoes for more than a decade, and during that time, there have undoubtedly been some incredible developments in the tech and materials used in the best sneakers.

Carbon plate racers have helped set world records, while max-stack cushioned shoes have brought more bounce and fun to daily training.

However, not every new shoe aims to reinvent the wheel, especially with the most popular lines of running shoes from major brands; the updates on the latest model can be very minimal, like tweaks to the upper or outsole, and some new colorways.

That’s why, in my running shoe reviews, I not only say whether a sneaker is actually good, but also if it’s a significant upgrade on the previous model, because the older shoe is more likely to appear in sales and save you money.

There are a lot of excellent running shoes out there right now that I simply wouldn’t buy, because the older model is just as good as them, and in some cases even a little better. Here are five great last-gen shoes I’d be looking for in sales.

Hoka Mach 6

I absolutely loved the Hoka Mach 7 when I tested it earlier this year, but when I did a run with it on one foot and the Mach 6 on the other, I struggled to tell them apart.

Both are lightweight, versatile daily trainers with a smooth, rockered ride, and the only real changes to the new shoe are a tweaked upper and outsole, neither of which really made a huge difference to me on the run.

The Mach 6 has been a regular feature in the Hoka and REI sales over the past few months, but stocks are starting to get low, so if you spy it for less than the Mach 7, I’d grab the deal while it lasts.

Saucony Hurricane 24

Another cushioned cruiser, the Saucony Hurricane 24 is also a shoe that offers stability thanks to the dual-density midsole it uses, with a softer, bouncier foam surrounded by a firmer frame that supports the foot on both sides.

If you’re a runner who overpronates or has flat feet, it’s a highly comfortable option for racking up the miles in, and the Hurricane 24 is just as good as the Saucony Hurricane 25 for this job, in my opinion.

I’ve run a lot of miles in both shoes, and while the Hurricane 25 is a little lighter, there’s not a lot in it, and they both perform the role of comfortable, stable cruiser just as well, so I’d scoop up the Hurricane 24 if you see it in a deal for less than the latest model.

New Balance Rebel v4

I gave the New Balance Rebel v5 a glowing review when I tested it last year, but in that review, I noted that it’s a similar shoe to the Rebel v4, and the older model is usually available on sale somewhere.

Both are lightweight but well-cushioned daily trainers that have a wide base to offer stability for easy and long runs.

They’re simple, good-looking, and good value shoes in my opinion, and there’s not enough of a difference between them to make paying more for the Rebel v5 worthwhile, if you can make a saving on the Rebel v4.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 4

The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is a plated training shoe that offers a fast, rockered ride for workouts and races, but is also comfortable enough for easy daily training runs as well, even if it’s not as comfortable as a dedicated cushioned shoe like the Brooks Glycerin Max.

I’ve loved every model of the Endorphin Speed, going back to the original, which I ran over 300 miles in, but it’s fair to say Saucony hasn’t hugely changed the shoe ever since the first model came out.

The Endorphin Speed 5 certainly felt very similar to the Endorphin Speed 4 in my testing, and with it being an expensive shoe, any discounts you see on the Speed 4 would make it the smarter buy.

Brooks Glycerin Max

The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a perfectly good cushioned running shoe, but it’s heavier than the original model and didn’t really improve the performance on the run in any way I noticed in testing.

That makes opting for the Brooks Glycerin Max a no-brainer in my view, especially as the Glycerin Max 2 is an expensive shoe at $200, and the older model has been available for $149 fairly regularly in the past few months.

Keep an eye out for a deal if you’re a runner who loves to use as cushioned a shoe as possible, and want a comfortable, rockered option for your daily training.

Asics Gel-Kayano 32

The Asics Gel-Kayano 32 is a max-cushioned stability shoe that offers a lot of comfort and support.

It's one of the more popular stability shoes on the market, as evidenced by the fact Asics has been making it for over 30 years, and old models of the Gel-Kayano are always worth looking for in sales.

I've just started testing the Asics Gel-Kayano 33 which does have an updated design with a new midsole set-up, but so far the shoe feels similar to the Gel-Kayano 32, and big discounts are popping up on the older shoe regularly.

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When you first start running, you’ll almost certainly go too fast in your early workouts. It’s very hard not to, because the first half mile feels easy and almost euphoric; a feeling that quickly disappears when your body catches up with the idea that you’re running and everything starts to hurt.

If you’re following any kind of training plan or just trying to enjoy running several times a week, getting your pacing right is vital. Easy runs need to be easy, and hard runs need to be the right level of hard, or you won’t enjoy your workouts and your progress will stall.

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to pace your runs to judge your effort correctly, whether you plan on using one of the best running watches or just running on feel.

I’ve been running for over a decade and have followed a structured training plan for the past eight years, and I’ve tried all kinds of methods to judge my runs in that time, including pace, heart rate, power and running to feel.

There are pros and cons to each approach, but all of them can work well, so the right one for you will depend on your personality and running goals.

Here’s what I’ve learned about each one during my time as a runner.

Running to pace

How to do it: You’ll need a running watch for this, or just a timer if you’re running on a track where you know the distance.

You can use current pace, lap/split pace, or average pace to judge your runs. I use lap pace to judge workouts, because the current pace will jump around more based on the GPS accuracy at any given moment.

Rolling pace can also be useful for pacing longer efforts. This gives your pace for the preceding mile or kilometer (or a set distance you configure yourself with some apps).

Pros: Pace is very exact and easy to understand, and if you have a goal pace for a workout or race, then it’s a clear target to shoot for.

Cons: Your pace can be affected by things like hills, terrain, wind, illness and temperature, which your watch won’t pick up, so you might not be able to hit the pace you’re going for and be working harder or easier than you planned.

GPS accuracy can also affect pace, especially if you’re in an area with a lot of tree cover or tall buildings, so you have to be careful when using it in city center races in particular.

Running to heart rate

How to do it: Most smartwatches now have a built-in optical heart rate monitor, which is generally pretty reliable, but for the best accuracy, I use a chest strap or armband monitor that links to your watch to show your heart rate during runs.

Pros: Heart rate can give a better indication of how hard you’re actually working than pace, because it takes into account the effort you put in on hills or into a headwind, for example.

You can work in the right heart rate zone to produce the training effect you want from a run, like staying in zone 2 for easy efforts and pushing to zone 4 or 5 during intervals.

Cons: The preset heart rate zones on your watch will be based on a generic calculation that could be wrong for you, so you need to adjust them once you have a better idea of your max heart rate.

It can be frustrating to use heart rate when you’re new to running and find that you have to walk to stay in zone 2 during easy workouts.

If you’re aiming for a set time goal in a race, you might want to push for it regardless of what your heart rate is showing.

Running to feel

How to do it: Just go out and run! If it’s meant to be an easy run, then take it easy, and if you are doing a workout, try to judge your tempo and interval paces based on how it feels.

You can also use your breath or talking to judge running on feel. If you can maintain a conversation, you're running easy; if you can only say a sentence or two, it's likely a tempo effort, and if you can only get a word or two out, you're pushing to your max.

Pros: No tech is required, and running to feel gives you a better understanding of your body and can feel liberating.

Sometimes pace or heart rate can artificially limit you, and when running to feel, you can achieve your best results without any pressure from stats.

Cons: It’s an inexact approach, and it’s very easy to overdo things when running to feel, especially if you’re a newer runner.

It takes experience and discipline to run to feel, especially on race day, when you can convince yourself you’re running easy but are actually pushing too hard early on in an event.

Running to power

How to do it: Power is a catch-all stat for measuring the intensity of your run, which aims to take into account things like hills, pace and even weather conditions.

Running power is shown in watts and available natively on most sports watches, or you can get a footpod to measure power and beam it to your watch to view in real-time.

Pros: Like heart rate, power provides better insight into how hard you’re working than pace, because it takes into account external conditions.

Power also responds quicker to changes in effort than heart rate, and after using it for a while, you can work out your running power zones to train at different intensities, no matter what the weather is like or the terrain you’re running on.

Cons: Power is harder to understand for new runners than heart rate or pace, and I haven’t always found it to be that accurate in gauging my intensity during trail runs in particular.

It’s also not a direct measurement, which it is in cycling, where power is widely used. Running power estimates vary between brands depending on the algorithms they use, so you need to stick with one watch or brand for it to be consistent.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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As runners, we spend an awful lot of time planning the lead-up to a big race — from 16-week training plans to tapering, and race-day nutrition. Yet more often than not, we don't spend a lot of time worrying about what we'll do after the race.

When should runners typically return to training after running 26.2 miles? And what are the signs to look out for that you might be nursing an injury? To find out more, we sat down with Peloton instructor and six-star finisher, Matt Wilpers.

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We’re finally in May and the weather is slowly but surely getting a bit warmer for most folks (New Yorkers like me are still wearing hoodies since the forecast is always unpredictable).

With warmer climates to look forward to as the spring transitions into the summer months, I’m sure most folks are looking forward to throwing on their favorite pair of running shoes for a nice jog. And I get it, it’s definitely worth hiring a professional running coach that can help you to build a daily running routine and inspire you to stick to it for the rest of the year.

But if you’re like me and want to save some money while still adopting both of those plans for your running regime, I have an alternative for you all to consider. ChatGPT has recently come in handy for me when constructing a beginner workout plan, adjusting my sleep schedule for the better and showcasing productivity habits worth adding to my daily work schedule.

Now, I’ve found a list of 10 helpful prompts that will help anyone get the most out of ChatGPT as an AI hype-man that can push you toward becoming the best runner you've always imagined yourself becoming.

AI motivation for running routines

With thoughts of lightly jogging and eventually transitioning into a speedier run floating in my head, I went to ChatGPT to ask it for the best prompts to put into action when it’s time to turn your digital companion into a valuable running coach.

The chatbot responded in kind with 10 prompts that help it recognize its newest role in anyone’s life as a reliable AI running guide:

• Act as an elite running coach who specializes in helping busy adults improve endurance and speed safely. Build me a personalized [amount of time in days/weeks/months] running plan based on my current fitness level, weekly schedule, injury history, and goals. Include pacing guidance, recovery days, mobility work, and motivation tips.
• You are my daily AI running coach. Every morning, ask me how I slept, how sore I feel, what workout I completed yesterday, and how much time I have today. Then adjust my training for the day in real time as a professional coach would.
• Pretend you’re coaching me for my first half-marathon. Create a beginner-friendly training program that balances running, recovery, nutrition, hydration, and mental preparation. Explain every workout in simple language and tell me why it matters.
• Act like a brutally honest but supportive running coach. Analyze my running habits, pacing mistakes, recovery issues, and motivation problems. Tell me exactly what’s holding me back and how to fix it without sugarcoating.
• Be my Zone 2 running expert. Teach me how to build endurance, improve aerobic fitness, avoid overtraining, and increase mileage safely. Give me heart-rate targets, pacing advice, and weekly progression recommendations.
• You are a marathon coach who trains runners using science-backed methods. Help me improve my race time by creating structured workouts including intervals, tempo runs, long runs, strength training, fueling strategies, and tapering plans.
• Act like my motivational running coach. Give me a pre-run pep talk before workouts, help me push through mental walls during difficult runs, and send me post-run feedback that keeps me consistent and confident.
• Act as a running form specialist. Ask me questions about my stride, cadence, breathing, posture, foot strike, and common pains. Then give me drills and cues to improve efficiency and reduce injury risk.
• Be my smart running accountability partner. Track my weekly mileage, race goals, personal records, recovery habits, and consistency. Check in with me daily, celebrate progress, and help me stay disciplined when motivation drops.
• You are a hybrid coach specializing in both strength training and running performance. Build me a balanced program that improves speed, endurance, mobility, and muscle without causing burnout or overtraining.

Your new AI cheerleader

I put the first of ChatGPT’s 10 recommended prompts to work after outlining my current fitness level (average), weekly schedule (free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and anytime on weekends), injury history (no recent issues) and goal (run 2 miles a day). I gave the chatbot an 8-week timeframe.

ChatGPT said I was starting from a strong baseline and designed a plan focused on building durability, consistency and aerobic fitness, not just grinding through daily miles.

The plan was surprisingly structured. It included a simple “effort guide” with three parts: effort level, how it should feel and a real-world example. For example, a “Moderate” effort was described as a “controlled challenge,” where conversation becomes shorter mid-run.

From there, ChatGPT mapped out a full routine: a weekly running schedule, a dynamic 5-minute warm-up before each run, a mobility routine to follow two to three times per week and a detailed 8-week progression. Each week had a theme, daily run goals and a practical tip to keep me on track.

By the end of week eight, the goal wasn’t just to run 2 miles a day, it was to make it feel doable, even routine.

Bottom line

In the interest of saving money while still finding the best approach to developing a useful running routine, I ended up finding ChatGPT as the best AI companion I could find without having to spend a single dime.

Throw any of these prompts at the chatbot to see how it incorporates your physical attributes and build a winning running plan around it.

With more humid temperatures on the horizon, tackling your running goals with ChatGPT in your corner might be worth a try.

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I just participated in my very first official running event: a 5K in Durham, North Carolina. Despite some pre-race jitters, I managed to complete the event in 31 minutes and 11 seconds, a much faster time than I was anticipating!

While my running bib for the event tracked my progress and pace throughout the race, I also wore a Garmin Forerunner 570 on one wrist and an Apple Watch Ultra 3 on the other for additional insights into my performance.

Both watches performed well, churning out similar data across the board. However, there are some exceptions worth calling out, especially when comparing the watch stats to my official race time and pace.

1. My official finish time was faster than Apple's and Garmin’s

The chip in a race bib begins tracking the second you cross the starting line and concludes the moment you pass the finish, for an ultra-precise time calculation, and one that ultimately proved to be quicker than what Apple or Garmin calculated.

To be fair, I began tracking on both smartwatches about 50 feet before crossing the start, and forgot to end tracking until a minute or more after the race’s completion. As a result, the Forerunner 570 noted a “moving time” of 32 minutes and 27 seconds, while the Ultra 3 said my “workout time” was 32 minutes and 22 seconds.

These finish times are still pretty close to my official finish; however, I expected the Garmin to be more in lock-step with the chip’s tally, given the fact that I’d preloaded the race and course onto my Forerunner 570 the night before.

2. Garmin’s post-run performance insights go deeper than Apple’s

In addition to metrics like heart rate, average pace, elevation gain, and finish time, both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 (using Apple’s native fitness app) and Garmin Forerunner 570 provide insights into power, cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length.

Only Garmin breaks down your time spent walking versus running though. In my case, I spent 91 seconds of the race walking, a takeaway I was pretty proud of. Garmin also provides a metric for vertical ratio. While vertical oscillation tells you how much vertical movement your torso makes with each step, vertical ratio clues you into just how efficient your running style is.

Calculated by dividing vertical oscillation by stride length (and multiplying by 100), the lower your vertical ratio percentage, the more efficient your running is. Mine was 9.1 cm, which is about average for my age and gender.

3. Pace data matches up nicely across the board

All three tracking methods noted a similar average pace. The bib chip noted a pace of roughly 10:02 per mile, while Garmin calculated my average pace at 10:01 per mile. Apple’s tally was a little more generous with a pace of 9:57 per mile.

4. Garmin's recovery insights are better than Apple's

Apple’s native fitness tracking app still doesn’t provide recovery time recommendations post-workout, while Garmin does. For my 5K running efforts, the Forerunner 570 recommended a recovery time of a whopping 71 hours!

That seemed like a lot, at first. However, I’m now roughly three days out from the event, and still feeling a tad sore in my quads. So, perhaps 71 hours of post-race rest was right on the money.

I also appreciate Garmin's exercise load metric, which you won't find on even the best Apple Watch models (though Apple does offer a training load stat). Garmin’s exercise load calculates the physiological impact of a workout, or how strenuous it is on the body, by monitoring your post-exercise oxygen consumption and how long it takes you to return to your non-workout baseline.

A higher exercise load number, between 185 and 300, indicates a harder workout. Meanwhile, scores below 100 reflect an easy workout, while scores between 100 and 170 reflect moderate effort. In my case, Garmin calculated my exercise load for the 5K at 225, indicating a more intense amount of effort than normal.

5. Both watches showed my speed increasing with each mile

Lastly, both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Forerunner 570 showed my speed increasing with each passing mile. Garmin calculated my first mile at 10:39, my second at 9:38, and my third at 9:35. Apple, meanwhile, noted a mile-one time of 10:21, a mile-two time of 9:36, and a mile-three time of 9:34.

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I just ran my first 5K. While I live for outdoor workouts, like hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding, running has never really appealed to me. Still, I’ve long wanted to get into running because it’s an infinitely accessible cardio option for nearly any scenario or worldly location, just as long as I have an appropriate pair of sneakers. So when presented with the opportunity to run my first 5K at 38 years old, I hesitantly agreed.

I’ve biked 60+ miles on a single-speed bike in a single day, hiked well over 25 miles in one go, and snowboarded more than 25,000 feet of elevation in a solo session, but the concept of jogging just over three (plus) consecutive miles during an official event caused me great anxiety, especially as race day approached.

With a pit in my stomach 24 hours prior, and no shortage of jitters, I was nearly tempted to bail out of the event the morning of… but I’m glad I didn’t. If you’re new to running and considering your first official race event, I'm here to tell you that it’s worth pushing through the nerves and jitters, because come race day, the experience is nothing short of amazing.

With that in mind, here are the five ways I mentally prepared ahead of my first 5K to ensure a manageable and surprisingly fun race day.

1. Walk the course ahead of time if possible

I can’t stress this enough: If you’re doing your first race event, regardless of the distance, try to get there a day or two early so that you can familiarize yourself with the route ahead of time. Even better: speed walk the route and see how long it takes.

Doing so allows you to fully absorb what you’ll encounter come race day, making everything feel more familiar and less grueling. Sure, the best smartwatches will alert you to every mile conquered as you run, but for me, knowing that “once I pass that church at the top of the hill, I have just 1.1 miles left” is an even better motivator for finishing strong.

2. Practice interval walking-running ahead of the event

I spent roughly two months training ahead of my first 5K. Ultimately, the training method that worked best for me was attempting to conquer the total distance each training session, but doing so by mixing walking intervals with running ones.

When I first started, I would walk for two minutes, run for 30 seconds, wash, and repeat. As I became more comfortable running, I switched that to one minute of walking followed by one minute of running. Ultimately, after two months, I became more and more comfortable with running for longer periods, even if my pace was about the same as my fast-walking pace.

3. Give yourself a realistic finish time and pace goal

Going into my first 5K, I knew that I could manage a 15-minute mile without ever needing to run by simply walking quickly. Additionally, through training, I came to understand that a 10-minute mile via jogging was well within my abilities.

Going into race day, I planned to, at the very least, run a mile in roughly ten minutes and speed walk the other two in around 30 minutes. As a result, I set myself the goal of finishing the 5K in under 40 minutes total, with a stretch goal of 36 minutes.

Ultimately, I blew past that personal goal, running for all but roughly 90 seconds of the event, and finishing in 31 minutes and 11 seconds.

4. Preload your ultimate pump-up music track and meal prep the night before

I ran my first 5K wearing the Garmin Forerunner 570, which features ample storage for your favorite running playlists or albums for Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, and other streaming platforms, without the need to carry a connected smartphone.

I ultimately settled on the classic New Jersey punk-ska album, Keasybey Nights by the legendary band, Catch 22, as my race-day soundtrack. This roughly 45-minute album not only made me stoked from the start but kept the epic vibes rolling until the event was done.

5. Find and stick with similarly-paced runners the day of

Last but not least, keep in mind that though you may be feeling unworthy to run in your first event, plenty of other folks are having similar vibes. One of the coolest things I experienced while doing my first official running event was the seriously amazing camaraderie before, during, and after, for all participants, regardless of age, body type, or ability.

Ultimately, take your time to find a pace that feels right for you, locate others with a similar speed — I promise there will be ample folks — and try to stick together.

At the end of the day, while I nearly bailed on my first official 5K run due to nerves, I’m so glad I ultimately took part, and I bet you will be too!

Moreover, now, I’m actually kind of stocked on running and plan to continually incorporate it into my weekly workouts, even if another 5K isn't in my immediate future.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’m a running noob doing my first 5K — here’s all the tech I’m using to cross the finish line
• I finally splurged on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 — and I'll never wear cheap earbuds again
• I logged 37 miles at MWC 2026 on my Garmin Instinct 3 — here are 5 things I learned

The Hoka Skyward X 2 has the price and plate of a super-trainer, but unlike most shoes in this category it’s not built to excel at all kinds of runs, but instead offer a supremely comfortable and fun ride for easy daily training, especially long runs.

It's one of the best running shoes for this job. I loved cruising around in the Hoka Skyward X 2 thanks to its comfortable and bouncy design, but it’s a bit limited overall given the high price.

There are cushioned shoes that do the same job as well for a lot less than the $225 the Skyward X 2 will cost you, like the Nike Vomero Plus. If you’re spending that much, I’d probably divert your funds into a more versatile super-trainer like the Asics Superblast 3 or Asics Megablast.

Hoka Skyward X 2 review: Price and availability

The Hoka Skyward X 2 is set to launch in mid-May 2026 and will cost $225 in the U.S. and £195 in the U.K., a high price that puts it in line with the most expensive non-racing shoes on the market, like the Asics Megablast and Superblast 3.

Hoka has several more affordable options in its line-up, including the Hoka Mach X3 plated trainer, and the Hoka Bondi 9 and Hoka Clifton 10 cushioned shoes.

Hoka Skyward X 2 review: Design and fit

The Skyward X 2 is set to launch in two colors for the men’s shoe and two for the women’s, including the white and blue design I tested.

I found it fit me well in my normal running shoe size, and there will be a wide version of the shoe available for those who find Hoka’s standard fit a bit too narrow, a common complaint with the brand’s shoes.

The Skyward X 2 has been trimmed down a little compared with the previous model, in terms of stack height and weight. It’s still a very cushioned shoe with a 5mm drop, but now weighs 10.4oz in my US men’s size 9.5, a drop of 0.9oz on the original Hoka Skyward X.

Upper

The Skyward X 2 has a new upper made from a jacquard mesh. It’s less padded on the tongue and more breathable than the upper on the original shoe, but still provides a comfortable step-in feel thanks to the padding around the heel collar.

I had no concerns with the upper throughout my testing. It was comfortable and held my foot securely on all my runs.

Midsole

The Skyward X 2 might have a little less foam in its midsole than its predecessor, but it’s still a very cushioned shoe with two types of foam and a carbon plate midsole.

On top is Hoka’s bouncy PEBA foam to bring the fun, while the bottom layer is made from a firmer supercritical EVA foam to add stability.

In between is a slotted carbon plate to add structure to the midsole without feeling as firm and stiff as the full plates you find on carbon shoes designed primarily for speed.

Outsole

There are two types of rubber used on the bottom of the Skyward X 2, with a sticky rubber used in the forefoot and a durabrasion rubber at the heel.

In my testing the shoe gripped well in all conditions, and while you don’t have full rubber coverage on the bottom of the shoe, I’ve seen no signs of wear and tear so far.

Hoka Skyward X 2 review: Running performance

The Skyward X 2 landed on my doorstop in the latter stages of my training for the London Marathon and became my main daily training for all my easy and steady runs.

It retains the bouncy, fun ride of the original model of the shoe, while being lighter and leaner, which I found makes it easier to tick along at easy, steady paces without noticing the shoe as much.

For such a high-stack shoe, I also found it stable, even when running on slightly uneven trails. It’s not a stability shoe, but it’s more supportive than a shoe like the Hoka Mach X3, another plated trainer that’s built more for speed.

I did several easy-to-steady progression runs in the shoe and found that it coped with a range of daily training speeds well, offering comfort and a smooth, bouncy ride, but it felt a bit cumbersome when pushing to faster paces.

This isn’t generally a huge weakness in a cushioned shoe designed for comfort, but for me, it’s a problem when you’re spending so much money on a so-called super-trainer.

The Skyward X 2 is comfortable and great for logging easy miles, but lacks the versatility of rivals like the Asics Superblast 3, and I think you’d need deep pockets to justify spending so much.

Should you buy the Hoka Skyward X 2?

If you’re all about cushioning and comfort on the run, the Hoka Skyward X 2 delivers, but I’d look at cheaper shoes first, like the Nike Vomero Plus and Kiprun Kipride Max, both of which I found equally enjoyable for easy daily training.

More versatile super-trainers include the Asics Megablast, Asics Superblast 3 and Hoka Mach X3, which are lighter and faster than the Skyward X 2 while still being good for easy runs, though not quite as stable.

If you have a big running shoe rotation and the budget to pick up a plated trainer purely for long, easy runs, then the Skyward X 2 is one of the best you could get, but it won’t be the value buy for most runners.

I’ve been testing the best carbon plate running shoes ever since the original Nike Vaporfly 4% and was lucky enough to try the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 before the London Marathon, where it was used by Sabastian Sawe to run the first official sub-2 marathon in history.

It’s an incredible running shoe, weighing less than 3.5oz and still packing in a high stack of very springy foam and a carbon fibre rim, rather than a full plate. When I spoke to the team behind the development of the Pro Evo 3, it was clear how every aspect of it has been tuned for performance.

Despite costing $500, the Pro Evo 3 sold out in minutes after going on sale yesterday, and if you want to buy it right now you’ll have to spend $2,000 on resale sites like StockX (or even $4,000 if you want a less common size).

I don’t think any running shoe is worth spending that much on, and even at $500 the Pro Evo 3 is a hard sell for amateur runners in my opinion, given the quality of alternative carbon super-shoes you can get for a lot less.

I’ve tried almost every carbon plate running shoe on the market today and if you missed out on the Pro Evo 3, or just don’t want to spend $500 on your racer, here are three alternatives to consider instead.

Asics Metaspeed Ray

The Asics Metaspeed Ray is the shoe that feels the most similar to the Pro Evo 3 in my experience, also having an extremely light, soft and bouncy design.

I used the Metaspeed Ray myself at the London Marathon and while I didn’t run a sub-2 marathon, it helped me log a 2:28 on the day, and I’ve used the Ray to run my half marathon and 10K PRs too.

Asics also has the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo and Metaspeed Edge Tokyo in its line-up, which are both excellent racing shoes to consider. John Korir won the Boston Marathon in a prototype of the next Asics Metaspeed, which will be worth looking out for in the future.

The Metaspeed Ray weighs just 4.8oz in my US men’s size 10 and will set you back $300, which is far from cheap, but still a healthy saving compared with the Pro Evo 3.

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

If you watched the Boston and London Marathons this year you will no doubt have noticed Puma’s elite runners, who were decked out in an eye-catching pink kit with mismatched shoes.

The shoe most of them were wearing was the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, which has a distinctive design with an extended carbon plate that produces a very efficient ride to help you maintain your pace through long races.

I ran the London Marathon in the Fast-R 3 last year and clocked 2:26, and the Poison Pink color available at the moment might be the best-looking racing shoe I’ve ever seen.

Like the Metaspeed Ray, the Fast-R 3 costs $300, so it’s expensive, but it’s an incredible racing shoe that’s proven to be effective for both elite and amateur runners.

Nike Alphafly 3

It’s far from the newest shoe on the market and Nike elites seem to be using a new prototype in their races, but the Nike Alphafly 3 remains a very good pick for amateurs, especially as it’s now often in sales.

The Alphafly 3 is heavier than the latest racing models, but has a more cushioned and comfortable feel and is very bouncy. It’s great for marathons in particular, and was used to set the previous marathon world record that was broken in London by Sawe in the Pro Evo 3.

Nike’s top racer will cost you $295 at full price, but it’s reduced to $214 in one color on the Nike website, and other colors are also reduced so it’s worth clicking through the various options to find a deal.

More from Tom's Guide

• Not the Fenix 9 — this is the new Garmin watch I want to see in 2026
• Coros Pace 4 vs Coros Pace 3 vs Coros Pace Pro: Which is the best Coros watch for you?
• Garmin Fenix 8 vs. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro: should you upgrade?

Running a marathon — or even say, a half-marathon or 5km fun run — is a pretty great accomplishment, seeing as jogging long distances is no easy feat for the average person, let alone someone who actually enjoys running.

Many of the major world marathons have come and gone this year, but some Aussies are already prepping for local marathon events, like the Sydney Half Marathon this weekend or the Sydney Marathon in August. And IMO, there's no better motivation to start hitting those running goals than a nice pair of sneakers, especially if you're planning on ticking off a marathon on your fitness bucket list.

While I am no marathon runner, I can appreciate a comfortable yet vibrant pair of sneakers (or joggers, as we Aussies affectionately call them). From Hokas, Asics, to Adidas and everything in between, there's a supportive pair of sneakers for every kind of runner (or walker) below. I've gathered 18 top-rated pairs found on Amazon, including some of the favourites as rated by Tom's Guide's fitness team — the Hoka Bondi 9s, the Nike Vaporfly 4s and the Asics Megablast.

Better yet, the majority of these sneakers can be shipped to most metro cities in Australia within the next two days, thanks to Amazon's expedited delivery. That said, most running experts don't suggest opting for a new pair before a big race weekend (especially if you are competing in the Half Marathon this Sunday, May 3). FWIW, you could view this purchase as a consolation prize for, well, running a marathon.

So scroll on to find the best running shoes worth stepping into, below.

I’m a running noob. While several of my colleagues on the Tom’s Guide fitness team just completed the London Marathon — with rather impressive times, I might add — I’m prepping for a much more modest event: My first 5K.

Though I’m an avid cyclist, hiker, snowboarder, and all-around outdoor adventure enthusiast, running has never really been my cup of tea. But I’m trying to change that! Which is why back in March, at 38-years-old, I signed up to run my first 5K and began training.

There have been some bumps in the road: sore lower back muscles, likely from over-extending my stride (an issue I have since corrected), rolled ankles, dropped AirPods, etc. However, with under a week to go until the big day, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic that I won’t only survive my first 5K, but actually enjoy it.

With that said, here are the five pieces of gear I’ll be using come race day to help me get across the finish line in a timely (for me) fashion.

1. Smartwatch: Garmin Forerunner 570 and Apple Watch Ultra 3

“Two watches??” You bet! As a wearable tech reporter, I’m always eager to test the tracking performance of popular smartwatches head-to-head in real-world scenarios (even if my race performance is far from noteworthy).

I chose the Garmin Forerunner 570 because it’s been my go-to smartwatch for training. It’s also incredibly lightweight, easy to view in bright sunlight, great on battery life, and perhaps most importantly (to me), has onboard storage to save my Spotify running playlists.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3, meanwhile, should be Apple’s most accurate fitness tracker thanks to multiband GPS. $150 pricier than the Forerunner 570, the Ultra 3 similarly boasts an ultra-bright display, solid battery performance, and detailed post-race fitness insights.

Stay tuned for a post-5K article on how the two devices ultimately compare, both in terms of race-day comfort, performance, and metrics. In the meantime, here’s my 5,000-step fitness tracking accuracy comparison with the Ultra 3 vs. the Forerunner 570 (spoiler: it was almost too close to call).

Earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

I mentioned losing an earbud while training in the intro; more specifically, it was an Apple AirPods Pro 2 that managed to dislodge itself from my dainty ear canal not once but twice during my month of training.

To avoid similar issues on 5K day, I treated myself to a shiny new pair of Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which offer excellent battery life, powerful bass, and most crucially, over-ear hooks to ensure a secure fit. They're also our top pick for best workout headphones in 2026.

That said, I’m not 100% sold on the design, especially coming from a pair of AirPods. Out of the box, I’m finding the hooks on the Powerbeats Pro 2 a tad uncomfortable. It’s something I anticipated, but hope to overcome sooner rather than later. Either way, I’m planning on bringing my AirPods Pro 2 along as a backup, just in case.

Running shoes: Rossignol Vezor

Rossignol is a relatively new player in the running shoe world, but skiers will likely recognize the name. The French-based brand has been manufacturing skis and outdoor gear for well over 100 years.

The $180 Rossignol Vezor is a trail running shoe, which I prefer to standard running kicks. Seattle, Washington (where I live), is a wet, hilly city, and I need all the traction I can get while training, especially when you factor in deadly piles of rain-soaked leaves (IYKYK).

These bad boys are mighty grippy, with a responsive, plush heel and breathable, lightweight design. They are also quite loud. Not in terms of foot-on-ground sound, but in terms of color. I have the neon red option, and you can probably see me coming from a mile out.

Ultimately, I broke in my pair of Vezors while covering CES 2026 earlier this year, where I walked roughly 65,000 steps in three days. Comfortable from the moment I put them on, they’ve also treated me well during my short training period.

Shorts: Pudulla running shorts

I’m not too picky about running shorts. I also wasn’t looking to break the bank on a pair, which is why I opted for the well-reviewed Pudulla Men’s Running Shorts from Amazon for just $19.

Technically, two shorts in one, a skin-hugging spandex layer wicks sweat, prevents chaffing, and keeps, erhm, everything in place. The outer layer, meanwhile, is lightweight, fast-drying, and loosey goosey.

Though I’m not planning on running the 5K with my smartphone on me, I also appreciate the hidden phone-sized pocket in the spandex layer.

T-shirt: REI Saharaha Shade T-shirt

When it comes to working out in the great outdoors, whether hiking, kayaking, cycling, or climbing, REI’s lightweight, quick-drying Sahara Shade T-shirts are my go-to; they’re also fantastic t-shirts for travel.

Available in a huge range of colors, these tees are rated UPF 50+ for sun protection and feature a regular fit with plenty of underarm room. So soft, comfortable, and functional, I’m frankly convinced that these are the best darn t-shirts under $40. The only question is, which color do I wear on race day?

More from Tom's Guide

• I finally splurged on a pair of Apple AirPods Pro 2 — and I'll never wear cheap earbuds again
• I ran a half marathon with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 vs Garmin Forerunner 970 to test the GPS and heart rate accuracy — here’s the winner
• I logged 37 miles at MWC 2026 on my Garmin Instinct 3 — here are 5 things I learned

Two stacked London Marathon elite fields have left pundits divided as to who to back in 2026, with records threatening to be broken on what promises to be a sunny Sunday morning in the U.K. capital.

Read on and we'll show you how to watch London Marathon live streams from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE.

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe is among this year's bookies' favorites in the men's race, having taken the win last year. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo was the 2025 runner-up in his London Marathon debut, so will be eager to go one better this time around. Ethiopia haven't had a male winner here for half a decade, an anomaly that the likes of Deresa Geleta and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola will hope to redress.

Having set the world record last year for the women's-only race, crossing the line in 2 hours, 15 minutes, 50 seconds, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa is back to defend her crown. Kenya's Joyciline JepkosgeiIt — the 2021 victor — looks like the woman most likely to disrupt the first back-to-back in six years, while Hellen Obiri of Kenya and Julia Paternain of Uruguay have also won significant marathon medals recently. It's just a pity that both Peres Jepchirchir and Sifan Hassan have had to withdraw in the lead-up to Sunday's race,

Aside from the elite competitors, the much-loved mass participation event is set to feature an array of famous faces, with the likes of "Wicked" actor Cynthia Erivo, former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel and Olympians Dame Laura Kenny and Sir Ben Ainslie all running. Here's how to watch the 2026 London Marathon online and on TV today — including FREE streaming options — and you'll find the raceday schedule at the bottom of this page.

How to watch London Marathon 2026 for FREE

The 2026 London Marathon is being live streamed for FREE on the BBC iPlayer in the U.K.

Additionally, coverage will go out for free on Rai in Italy, RTVE in Spain and the Olympics.com website in selected other locations (China, Japan, Middle East & North Africa, New Zealand).

Traveling overseas? You won't be able to watch the action on your free streaming platform like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Use a VPN to watch London Marathon 2026 live streams for free — we’ll explain more below.

How to watch London Marathon online from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the 2026 London Marathon on your usual service?

You can still watch all 26.2 miles live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software can make your devices appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch your free BBC coverage of the race, choose 'United Kingdom' from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer and watch the London Marathon live.

How to watch London Marathon 2026 live streams in the U.K.

The 2026 London Marathon will be shown on the free-to-air BBC One in the U.K.

That means you can watch London Marathon live streams for FREE on BBC iPlayer, which is free to use (with a valid TV Licence) and works across a wide range of devices including smart TVs, laptops, games consoles, mobile phones, tablets and streaming sticks.

If you're not currently in the U.K. don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch BBC iPlayer from abroad.

How to watch London Marathon 2026 in the U.S, Canada and Australia

The London Marathon 2026 is streaming exclusively on the dedicated FloTrack streaming platform in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Subscriptions cost $30/month on a rolling basis. Or, if you know that you'll want all of the platform's coverage throughout the year, get a $150 annual plan and effectively get seven months free.

British resident visiting one of these countries? Use NordVPN or another VPN service to trick your device into thinking you're still in the U.K. so you can watch your streams for free.

London Marathon start times and schedule 2026

Elite wheelchair — 3:50 a.m. ET / 12:50 a.m. PT / 8:50 a.m. BST / 5:50 p.m. AEST
Elite women — 4:05 a.m. ET / 1:05 a.m. PT / 9:05 a.m. BST / 6:05 p.m. AEST
Elite men — 4:35 a.m. ET / 1:35 a.m. PT / 9:35 a.m. BST / 6:35 p.m. AEST
Followed by mass participation start

More from Tom's Guide

• How to watch U.K. TV abroad: BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and more
• The best streaming VPNs
• How to watch Madrid Open 2026: Live Streams & TV Channels

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

When a shoe costs $280 and looks like the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS, with its moon boot laceless upper, you expect big things with regards to its performance.

However, I didn’t enjoy the original On Cloudmonster Hyper (there hasn’t been a 2, the 3 Hyper is so named to line up with the On Cloudmonster 3), so even though the new shoe has a lot of updates, I worried it wouldn’t deliver on the run.

Those worries were laid to rest on my first run in the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS, when it felt fantastic, and I’ve enjoyed it for every run I’ve done in it since.

The price is incredibly high and the fit of the innovative LightSpray upper might not work for everyone, but the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is very light and springy, and it’s one of the most versatile super-trainers I’ve tested.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS review: price and availability

The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS launched in April 2026 and costs $280 in the U.S. and £270 in the U.K., which is a big step up in price on the standard On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, which is $220/£210.

It’s the most expensive non-racing shoe I’ve ever tested in fact, and even makes pricy super-trainers like the Asics Megablast and Asics Superblast 3 look cheap. It does come with a pair of On’s Elite Run Socks though, to soften the financial blow.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS review: design and fit

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is currently only available in the white-and-yellow design I tested, and I would stick to your normal running shoe size in the shoe.

You can’t adjust the fit of the LightSpray upper, so it will either work for you or it won’t — I found the fit to be really secure and comfortable on all my runs, but I have a fairly narrow foot and my friend with high arches struggled to get the shoe on and off.

The LightSpray upper is the reason the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is so lightweight though — it tips the scales at just 7.6oz in my US men’s size 9.5, which is almost 2oz lighter than the standard model of the shoe with its conventional upper.

It’s the lightest super-trainer I’ve tested and still has a very high stack of midsole foam, standing 45mm tall at the heel and 39mm at the forefoot for a 6mm drop.

Upper

I’d argue that the midsole is the real star of the show on the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS, but it’s the LightSpray upper that certainly catches the eye at first.

The seamless, one-piece upper is applied to the shoe by a robot, a process that’s clearly expensive but does create a very lightweight and comfortable upper.

It’s worth testing the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS if you can to see how well the upper fits your foot, and when rounding sharp corners I did notice a bit of lateral movement of my foot, but for the most part I found the fit and feel of the upper excellent.

Midsole

The dual-density midsole on the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS has a thick top layer of On’s PEBA-based Helion HF foam, which is ,light, soft and energetic.

Underneath that there is a layer of the brand’s firmer CloudTec pods to provide a stable frame for the bouncy foam above.

With the original Cloudmonster Hyper there was only PEBA foam under the forefoot of the shoe and the large amount of CloudTec dulled the ride of the shoe and made it quite heavy.

The addition of more PEBA Helion HF foam greatly improves the ride of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS in comparison and reduces the overall weight.

Outsole

For such a light shoe I was pleasantly surprised by how much rubber the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS has on the outsole.

Most of the individual pods on the shoe are covered with a thick layer of rubber that should boost the durability of the shoe, and it has gripped well for me on all my runs.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS review: running performance

When testing an expensive super-trainer there are two main things I’m looking out for; versatility and a fun ride.

There are a lot of great running shoes available for under half the price of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS, so it needs to score highly for both performance and enjoyment to make it worth considering.

In my testing, it did just that. The midsole is delightfully springy and fun, while still feeling stable at slow speeds thanks to the CloudTec frame surrounding the softer midsole foam.

There’s also no doubt it’s a versatile shoe. I’ve done two interval sessions on the track in the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS, a 10-mile tempo run and plenty of easy miles in it, and it’s felt great for all those runs.

The ride is smooth and it’s such a light shoe you can pick up the pace easily. It doesn’t have as much propulsive punch at your fastest speeds as a plated racing shoe, but the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is a lot more enjoyable than such a shoe when you’re cruising at an easy pace.

If the fit works for you, I think the ride of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS will work for every runner, because of its balance and weight, comfort and spring, but the price will certainly be a factor in deciding whether to go for it.

Should you buy the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS?

The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is a great running shoe and my favorite On sneaker ever, and it’s a shoe I’ll likely continue to use in my own running shoe rotation when not testing new models.

However, there are extremely good options available for less. The Asics Megablast is my favorite super-trainer overall and while very expensive itself, it’s a lot cheaper than the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS.

The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo is even better value at $170, offering a very versatile ride in a high-stack shoe for daily training, and if you like a lower stack shoe then the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is an enjoyable all-rounder for $150.

These shoes offer better value than the On, but if you are dead set on getting a Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, I think the LightSpray model is worth the upgrade on the standard shoe, which is heavier and firmer, and less springy.

Running a marathon is one of the biggest accomplishments one can achieve, yet here I am dreading the build-up to the upcoming London Marathon.

If you're a first-timer like me, you'll already have all your important gear in order. Grabbed yourself a pair of the best running shoes? Check. Have a way to set your pace and track your progress with the best running watch? Of course. Picked out your race day outfit to raise awareness of the charity you support (and really, to look stylish)? All boxes ticked. But as anyone training for a marathon will know, there's always room for more preparation.

To find out if I missed anything, I spoke to the fitness team at Tom's Guide — namely, Nick Harris-Fry and Jane McGuire — who have collectively run more than 20 marathons. So, whether you're about to set off on your first-ever marathon or need some last-minute tips to make it all the way, here are five key tips to keep your mind and body in top form before you're off to the races.

Tip #1: Stick with what you know

Once the marathon kicks off, you'll be showered with support from onlookers and organizers offering much-needed cheers, along with refreshing essentials like water, snacks, and sweet treats. It's all very tempting to grab it all, but I recommend that you don't go crazy.

One of the first things I got into a routine during practice runs is having energy gels at precise intervals. Not only did this give me something to look forward to, but it also got my body used to the burst of energy I needed to power through.

Taking all manner of sweets can upset this rhythm, and I definitely wouldn't want to experience any ill-fated side effects that will slow me down. More importantly, though, since some marathons offer specific types of gels (London's will provide Lucozade Sport Gels), it's best to stick with the gels you know will work for you.

For me, that's the High5 Energy Gels, and I'm making sure I have these stocked up during race day. Oh, and be sure to get the flavor you like, too.

Tip #2: Stay refreshed

I have the honor of having a place in the London Marathon provided by Radox, but really, I'd be using its shower gels and bath soaks anyway. They're affordable and have plenty of scents for all occasions, and you can bet I'll be using this to cool off before and after the marathon.

Before race day, it's good to get yourself in the zone, and there's nothing like a hot shower or soothing bath to get rid of that fog of nerves. But for recovery, it's good to have a gel in a warm shower to increase blood flow to your tired legs. A massage ball also helps, but a long shower or bath is a quick-fire way to give your aching body the rest it needs.

Tip #3: Prevent the pain

Truly, there is not a whole lot worse than getting a painful chafe as you're finally getting into your stride during the big run. I'm no stranger to this, as my thighs were destroyed during my first long runs while training.

At 26.2 miles, the chances of chafing are extremely high, and I can already imagine the stinging sensation with each step in my inevitable sweaty running kit rubbing against my skin. To stop that from happening, though, it's highly recommended to use anti-chafe balm.

This forms a barrier on the skin to keep painful rubbing to a minimum, and it will be your savior if applied before you make your way to the start line. There are many anti-chafe balms around, but some can be uncomfortably thick and sticky, leaving white residue on anything they touch. I was recommended the Anti Monkey Butt Anti-Chafing, and it's been very soothing during runs. Plus, you can grab one at an affordable price. But the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick is also a great shout, but whatever you choose, it's well worth picking up.

Tip #4: Tape up

This one goes hand-in-hand with chafing, but comes in the form of a painful little bubble right on your skin. It's hard to avoid blisters on your feet with the repetitive nature of running a marathon, and they only make the whole experience worse during and after completing 26.2 miles.

While specialized running socks and running shoes can keep them at bay, the constant movement of your feet inside your socks and shoes, pulling your skin in opposite directions for hours, doesn't prevent a blister from forming.

To prevent blisters from ruining my run, I use blister prevention tape. This acts like a second skin, using strong adhesive to stop any irritation on your skin. These can come in many forms, including tape, plasters, or pads, but whatever suits you, make sure to keep your feet protected. By now, I know all the potential hot spots a blister pops up, which is exactly where I'll be slapping on this tape. Your feet will thank you later.

Tip #5: Keep your gear charged

In between all the cheers and brief stops to chat with friends and family (let's be honest, to catch my breath), I plan on making good use of my AirPods 4 and listening to pumped-up tunes on Apple Music via my iPhone. This has given me the energy I need to power through when I've hit a wall, but I'll slam headfirst into this wall once the battery on my devices runs out.

To state the obvious, marathons take hours to complete, and as a first-time marathoner, I don't plan on breaking records (or ever, for that matter). While many of the best wireless earbuds can last 10 hours and beyond, others won't quite make it over the finish line with you. That goes for the AirPods 4 with ANC, which claim to last 4 hours, but I've found this to be less when used constantly.

That's why it's important to have a backup, but one that won't be a burden due to its weight (like the Anker MagGo Power Bank). My top choice is the featherweight Anker Nano Power Bank with a 5,000mAh battery capacity, as it only weighs 3.5 ounces and is small enough to plug into your phone, earbuds, or any USB-C device without taking up much space. Whether you forgot to charge your phone to full or are in dire need of emergency power, this will do the trick on your run.

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The original Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo broke new ground for carbon plate super-shoes, being impossibly light and ludicrously expensive — it set you back $500 if you were lucky enough to get hold of one of the limited pairs put on sale.

It sparked an arms race among running shoe brands as rivals aimed to make their own hyper-light racing shoe, with models like the Asics Metaspeed Ray and Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure coming in under 5oz.

With the third model of the shoe, Adidas just changed the game again — the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 weighs just 3.4oz/97g in a US size 9, making it the first racing shoe to dip under 3.5oz/100g.

A uniquely lightweight design

The lightweight design of the Pro Evo 3 is particularly amazing given that it has a high midsole stack height of 39mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot.

That midsole is made from a new version of Adidas’s Lightstrike Pro Evo foam, which is designed to be as springy as it is lightweight.

Key to the 30% drop in weight from the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 2 is the new stiffening element in the midsole. Instead of using Adidas’s EnergyRods system, the Pro Evo 3 has a carbon-fibre infused frame that runs around the outside of the midsole, called ENERGYRIM.

This stabilizes the soft foam and adds extra propulsion to your stride to deliver the running economy benefits expected from the best carbon plate running shoes, while being lighter than a full plate or the rods Adidas has used in the past.

A lightweight upper and a minimal rubber outsole help to keep the weight down. Crucially, Adidas is using Continental rubber on the Pro Evo 3, rather than the rubber used on the Pro Evo 2, which I found failed to provide reliable grip in wet conditions.

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 will be available in limited quantities on April 23 before a wider release in the fall marathon season, and it sticks with the $500 price of its predecessors.

What’s it like to run in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3?

I wasn’t able to test the original Pro Evo, and found the Pro Evo 2 a little disappointing when I used it — it was undeniably fast, but didn’t feel like a big step up on other carbon racers that cost a lot less, and the grip was dangerously bad in wet conditions.

That didn’t stop me being incredibly excited to try the Pro Evo 3 at the launch of the shoe. My testing was limited to the treadmill for now, and given that I tried the shoe three days before a PR attempt at the London Marathon, I didn’t risk going all-out for long.

From the moment you hold the shoe it feels almost eerily light, even compared with the hyperlight Pro Evo 2, and the foam is a lot softer than on past Adidas racing shoes I’ve tested.

You sink deep into into the foam throughout the length of the shoe and then it springs back rapidly. It reminded me of the feel of the Asics Metaspeed Ray which is also very soft, light and springy, but the Pro Evo 3 is softer under the forefoot where there isn't a full plate thanks to the ENERGYRIM design.

My short stint in the shoe left me itching to do more running in it, and to give it a go at a race as soon as possible. We’ll have a full review of the Adidas Pro Evo 3 up as soon as I’m able to put its through its paces properly on the roads.

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From first-timers to elites, everyone gets nervous ahead of running a marathon and the main difference between those who are experienced and those who are new is that the old-hands usually have a strategy for dealing with their pre-race jitters.

I’m running the London Marathon for the ninth time this year, and it will be my 16th marathon in total. I certainly still get butterflies in my stomach in the days leading up to the race.

Over time, I’ve worked out a few things that help me relax and get excited about the race rather than feel daunted or worried by it. Hopefully, one or two of them might work for you, too.

Look at the training you’ve done

Unless you take a very relaxed approach to your running, you probably have a record of your training in the months leading up to the marathon, whether you’ve used one of the best running watches, an app like Strava, or pen and paper to track your runs.

In the week leading up to a marathon, it’s common to worry you’re not ready for the race; either to complete the distance or hit the target time you’re chasing.

This is the time to bring up your training log and remind yourself of all the hard work you’ve done to prepare for the event.

There’s always a couple of really tough training runs that you can remind yourself of, and know that if you got through them, you can hit your target on race day as well.

Get excited, not nervous

This is one I learned after doing a couple of marathons, because it takes completing one to realize just how great it feels to finish.

Instead of worrying about how you’re going to feel during the hardest bits of the run, think about how great it’s going to feel to meet up with your family and friends after you’ve finished, ready to celebrate. Turn those nerves into excitement you can use.

Speak to other runners

If you’re running a Marathon Major or a big city event in general, you might well know someone else doing it. If you don’t, you’ll meet a lot of them at things like the Marathon Expo, where you pick up your kit.

I find that talking to other people going through the same nerves and excitement as me is a good way to share and deal with any doubts and fears I have.

Get your final prep sorted

The marathon itself is enough of a hurdle to clear, so don’t add to your worries by mismanaging the logistics of race morning.

Get a clear plan in place for your travel to the start line, the breakfast you’re going to have, and the kit you’re going to use, so you can just follow that plan mindlessly on race morning rather than have to worry about things.

I also have a routine for the night before the race now to help me sleep — bath, book, podcast. Try not to look at your phone too much, and definitely don’t look at the weather forecast — what will be will be.

Be kind to yourself

If you tend to be your own worst critic, then you might spend marathon week beating yourself up for all the things you think you’ve done wrong with your prep.

I think the best piece of advice I ever read about this was to treat yourself like you would a friend. If a friend came to you saying negative things about themselves, you’d reassure them and build them up.

It’s the obvious thing to do in that situation, so it’s what you should do for yourself as well. There’s nothing you can do to change the past in marathon week, so focus on the good work you’ve done and get excited to run 26.2 miles!

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Watch the 2026 Boston Marathon live streams as the 130th running of the Massachusetts race features a particularly strong elite field led by defending men's and women's champions John Korir and Sharon Lokedi of Kenya. On Monday, Patriots' Day, more than 30,000 will take on the notoriously undulating 26.2-mile course, including the infamous Heartbreak Hill six miles from the finish.

Here's how to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN.

The second stop of the World Marathon Majors series for 2026, Boston has once again attracted some of the world’s leading athletes. In the men’s field, 10 athletes have cracked the two-hour, five-minute mark, including defending champion Korir and Kenyan compatriot Benson Kipruto.

Other potential contenders for the title include reigning world champion Alphonce Felix Simbu, experienced Kenyan Cybrian Kotut and US record holder Conner Mantz and rising American star Alex Maier.

The women’s line-up is equally impressive as it includes numerous athletes who have run sub two hours and 18 minutes. Lokedi won the title last year in a course-record 2:17:22, while two-time winner Hellen Obiri, Irine Cheptai and Workenesh Edesawill all be expected to challenge. There is also a strong American contingent led by Fiona O'Keeffe, who won the 2024 Olympic trials.

In the wheelchair events, Marcel Hug seeks a ninth Boston title for the men, while Swiss compatriot Manuela Schar goes for a fifth win in the women's race.

You'll find a full race day schedule at the bottom of this page. But before that, check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch 2026 Boston Marathon from anywhere.

Watch Boston Marathon 2026 from anywhere

Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the race on your usual domestic streaming service?

You can still watch the Boston Marathon 2026 live stream online thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite option is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:

Using a VPN is incredibly simple:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if away from Japan but want to watch your usual free stream, you'd select a Japan-based server.

3. Enjoy the action. Head to the Olympic Channel and watch a Boston Marathon 2026 live stream as if you were back home in Japan.

How to watch Boston Marathon 2026 in the U.S.

The 2026 Boston Marathon is being shown on ESPN2 and via is streaming service ESPN Select in the U.S.. Subscription costs start from $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year.

You can also get ESPN through an OTT cable TV alternative such as Sling Orange, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

Fubo is the option we'd recommend. It includes ESPN, with prices starting from $55.99 a month.

If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch from abroad.

How to watch 2026 Boston Marathon in Canada

You'll need TSN in order to watch Boston Marathon 2026 live streams north of the border.

If you already get TSN through your cable provider, you'll be able to watch on TV or through its TSN Go app.

If you don't have cable, then you could go for TSN Plus instead, which lets you get access to all TSN has to offer on an $8/month or $80/year subscription basis.

Away from home while the race is on? Don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch from abroad.

How to stream the Boston Marathon 2026 live in the U.K.

Live coverage of the 2026 Boston Marathon is being provided by TNT Sports and streaming service HBO Max in the U.K..

TNT Sports TV channels are available as an extra subscription via your regular satellite or cable provider, including Sky and Virgin Media.

Live streaming is available via HBO Max, with a £30.99/month subscription or the 12-month Saver Plan that works out at £25.99 monthly.

If you have a Discovery+ account, it will be automatically ported over.

If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch from abroad.

Watch 2026 Boston Marathon live stream in Australia

The 2026 Boston Marathon is being shown on FloTrack in Australia, where a subscription costs US$29.99 (approximately AU$42) per month or US$150 (around AU$207) for a whole year.

Away from your Australian home right now? You can simply use a VPN, such as NordVPN, to watch the race as if you were back in Oz.

Boston Marathon schedule

• Monday, April 20, 2026 (All times are ET)
  • 9:06 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Men
  • 9:09 a.m. – Wheelchair Division – Women
  • 9:37 a.m. – Professional Men
  • 9:47 a.m. – Professional Women
  • 9:50 a.m. – Para Athletics Division
  • 10 a.m. – Wave 1 of participants

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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

The most important thing you can do to boost your recovery in between runs is to simply rest, something that’s often not as easy to do as you’d hope when you have other responsibilities to attend to.

Along with resting, taking an active approach to your recovery can also help, and there are different ways you can go about this, from getting sports massages or doing yoga to using a massage gun or foam roller at home.

Even as a very keen runner who’s usually marathon training, I’m often guilty of neglecting most of the above, and judging by my conversations with other runners, I’m far from alone in this.

I have a lot of recovery accessories and gadgets at home, and most of them are gathering dust in a corner, but one tool that I do use almost every day is a massage ball for my feet.

A cheap tool for treating foot pain

Massage balls are one of the cheaper tools you can use to support your body as a runner, and actually, you don’t even need to invest in a specialist ball if you have golf balls at home already, because I’ve used those in the past.

The ball I use now is part of a set of three from Lululemon that costs $28, but since I don’t use the larger balls at all, I’d probably get a small one with spikes, which seems to increase the benefits of rolling.

Compared with the price you pay for a massage gun or even a foam roller, a massage ball is a relatively affordable purchase that I’ve used a lot more than any gun or roller I’ve had, and it’s also more portable and easier to store.

Benefits of massage balls

Just like foam rollers, massage balls provide self-myofascial release, just in a more targeted manner.

They can be used to ease the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, a common running injury I have suffered with in the past, but I use them now to reduce the painful foot cramps I get after runs when I’m doing a lot of mileage, especially when marathon training.

If I forget to roll my feet, these cramps often come on late in the day, but if I roll my feet for 60 seconds on each, I rarely get the cramps.

Massage balls relieve tension in the arch of the foot and increase circulation to that area as well. They’re a cheap and effective tool and easy to use — just stand on the ball and roll it around the arch of your foot.

It might not be the solution to all your problems, and if you’re suffering from severe plantar fasciitis, a physio visit will certainly be more useful than a massage ball. But if you’re a keen runner, it’s an accessory worth having, given the low investment and high potential upside.

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At $225, the Asics Megablast is one of the most expensive running shoes I’ve ever tested, so it’s fortunate that it’s also one of the best running shoes I’ve ever tested as well.

When I wrote my Asics Megablast review in September last year, I’d run 100 miles in the shoe and was already raving about it, but I still had doubts about the value it offers given the high price.

After doing another 120 miles in the Megablast the value is starting to show through, because it’s proving to be very versatile as well as incredibly versatile.

I review so many new running shoes each year that it’s hard to find the time to go back to old favorites, but the Megablast is one shoe I return to again and again, especially when marathon training — here’s why I love it so much.

It’s the most versatile shoe I’ve tested

If you follow a structured training plan, you’ll have a variety of runs to tackle each week, like interval and tempo workouts, long runs, and easy miles.

Most shoes will excel at either fast or easy runs, or be built for one specific purpose, like a carbon plate racing shoe, but the Asics Megablast is brilliant for any run.

Having tested hundreds of running shoes at this point, I’ll say that it’s the most versatile sneaker I’ve tried — I even took it as my only shoe for a week’s holiday and did all my runs plus walking in it.

It’s very cushioned and comfortable for easy runs, and stable enough too in my experience, but then light and energetic enough for fast efforts. I’ve done every kind of run in the Megablast over the past seven months, and it always feels amazing.

It’s especially good for marathon training

There are some highly versatile shoes I love available for a lot less than the Megablast, most notably the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, but the advantage the Megablast has is how good it is for marathon training in particular.

That’s because it’s so cushioned and supportive over long runs, especially faster long runs and tempo workouts.

I’m training for the London Marathon right now and have used the Megablast for a 12-mile steady run, a 22-mile long run, and a 10-mile progression run over the course of five days recently.

It protects the legs well from the impact of all that running while being quick enough to push the pace, whereas shoes like the Evo SL aren’t as stable and comfortable for regular long runs like this.

It’s proven durable

For $225, you want a shoe that’s going to last, and I have only positive things to say on this front with the Megablast after over 200 miles of running.

The outsole hasn’t worn down at all, even on the exposed foam sections. The rubber remains thick and has its tread, despite the fact that I’ve used the Megablast for a lot of miles on light trails as well as the road.

More importantly, the midsole is still as springy and responsive as it was when new. The FF Turbo Squared foam used delivers a high amount of energy return, and has softened slightly from when the shoe was new to be even more comfortable.

Given the state of the shoe after 220 miles, I'd expect to easily get over 500 miles from the Megablast, which is a solid return on investment in my view.

It’s speedy enough to race in

I’m an obsessive runner and will almost always use one of the best carbon plate running shoes for my races, because they deliver the fastest ride, but for a shoe you can also use for training runs, the Megablast is very quick.

I’ve run a 16:30 5K in the shoe and done several hard workouts at my race paces, and if you don’t want to use a plated super-shoe, the Megablast is a great alternative for your all-out efforts.

The grip is reliable for winter training

On a practical note, I train in London, and when building up to a spring marathon, I spend a lot of time running in the rain, and the Megablast grip has been reliable for me on wet roads.

While it might not be the best option if your winter weather is colder and icier and you need more of a specialist shoe to grip on ice and snow, the Megablast never felt slippery for me, even on fast runs.

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Move over, Garmin Forerunner 970, there’s a new premium smartwatch for marathon runners nipping at your heels. The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro offers many of the same pro-level design specs, training tools, and holistic features found on Garmin’s $750 flagship running watch, for $300 less.

The list includes dual-band GPS, a titanium alloy case, a sapphire crystal glass, an ultra-bright AMOLED screen, a built-in LED flashlight, support for 170+ workout modes, personalized training plans, advanced recovery metrics, and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro smartwatch.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Key features

• Titanium alloy case and sapphire crystal glass screen
• 2.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen with 3,000 nits max brightness (same as Apple Watch Ultra 3)
• Dual-band GPS antenna
• 20 days of battery in smartwatch mode; 31 hours with full GPS tracking
• Support for offline maps with turn-by-turn navigation
• Custom training plans with advanced workout and recovery metrics, including VO2 Max, Training Load, and Training Effect
• Onboard speaker and microphone for Bluetooth calls
• 32GB onboard storage for music, podcasts, and maps
• $449 and available now

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Price and availability

The Cheetah 2 Pro is available now directly through Amazfit for $449. It ships on a perforated rubber strap that kind of reminds me of an old-school skin diver watch strap.

Additionally, according to the Amazfit site, a snazzy-looking green nylon strap will be offered separately for the Cheetah 2 Pro at a later date.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Design and build quality

The Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro is roughly the same size as the Garmin Forerunner 970; however, it weighs nearly 8 grams less than the pricier competition. Both devices sport sapphire glass, which is tougher than hardened mineral glass found on more affordable smartwatches.

Unlike the Forerunner 970, the Cheetah 2 Pro features a comparably tougher-built titanium alloy case design versus reinforced polymer (plastic). You get an LED flashlight tucked into the top of the case on either model, both of which also boast a red light mode.

The Cheetah 2 Pro combines touchscreen functionality with four physical buttons, which look extra grippy and easy to access, even while, say, running.

Max screen brightness is 3,000 nits, which is brighter than the screen on the Forerunner 970, and should make it even easier to view in direct sunlight.

Water resistance is 50 meters, the same as the flagship Forerunner. This is enough for short surf-level swims but not high-impact water sports or diving.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Fitness and training tools

Arguably Amazfit's most advanced running watch to date, the Cheetah 2 Pro offers nearly all the same heady training and recovery metrics you'll find on the best Garmin watches, including VO2 Max, Training Load, and Training Effect.

It also provides structured workout guides, personalized training plans to help you prep for an upcoming running-based event, and workout recovery recommendations.

Despite being a hardcore running-centric watch, the Cheetah 2 Pro supports over 170 workout types, including some darn nuanced options like tug-of-war and snow shoveling.

Dual-band GPS promises accurate location tracking even under obstructed skies, while Amazfit's latest-greatest health sensor array should provide precise heart rate data, sleep tracking reports, women's health insights, and more.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Smart features

Like the Forerunner 970, the Cheetah 2 Pro boasts an onboard microphone and speaker, allowing you to take calls from the wrist via a Bluetooth-paired smartphone.

You also get 32GB of onboard storage to store music and/or podcasts for offline listening without a paired phone. That storage can also be used to download and save free navigational maps, also for offline use.

These maps feature turn-by-turn directions; however, the overall usability lags behind Garmin, based on my experience testing the maps' functionality on the also-new (ish) Amazfit Active Max.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Battery

When it comes to battery life, on paper, at least, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro has the Garmin Forerunner 970 beat. When using full GPS to track an outdoor workout, the Cheetah 2 Pro promises up to 31 hours of use per charge (69 hours in GPS power save mode). The Forerunner 970, meanwhile, lasts for 26 hours with full GPS tracking.

In standard smartwatch mode, Amazfit says the Cheetah 2 Pro should be good for up to 20 days per charge, compared to 15 days for the Forerunner 970.

Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro: Outlook

On paper, the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro has an awful lot going for it. Simply put, it offers the specs, tech, and build quality of far pricier flagship models, at a cost that, while far from cheap, is going to potentially tempt a lot of folks away from the Garmin Forerunner series.

Ultimately, the question is, will the Amazfit Cheetah 2 Pro perform with as rock-solid reliability across the board as the best Garmin watches of 2026? We plan to get one in for thorough testing to find out. Stay tuned.

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Spring marathon season is coming up fast, and if you are running Boston, London, or any other marathon in the next couple of months, then hopefully you have all, or at least most, of your race day outfit and accessories planned out already.

That’s because you should ideally have tested your apparel, shoes, accessories, and nutrition during your longest training runs, because using something new on race day is always a gamble.

I’ll be using tried-and-tested products from my last 15 marathons when I tackle the London Marathon in a couple of weeks, which doesn’t guarantee it will go well, but it does give me some added confidence for the race.

Here’s all the gear I plan to use at the London Marathon 2026, which you can replicate for any marathon this spring season.

My Marathon Shoes And Apparel

The most important decision to make with each marathon is which of the best carbon plate running shoes I wear. This time around, it’s the super soft and springy Asics Metaspeed Ray I’ve gone for, having recently set my half marathon PR in the shoe.

Another big piece of gear for me is my shorts, since they have to carry all my nutrition for the day, which includes gels and three 250 soft flasks. These Rabbit shorts have loads of pockets and hold things tightly so they don’t bounce.

I also wear my club singlet, which is a version of Soar’s excellent lightweight race vest, some unicorn socks my daughter got me and a headband to keep sweat out of my eyes.

After the race, I usually want to get out of my racing shoes as soon as possible, so I have some comfortable Oofos recovery sliders to pull on in my event bag.

My Marathon Nutrition

I aim to consume about 60g of carbs per hour during a marathon, having also had a big breakfast and a 500ml bottle of Maurten’s 320 Drink Mix before the race, which contains 80g of carbs.

During the event, I use a mix of Maurten gels and the drink mix to take 20-25g of carbs every three miles or so, and I also load up on electrolytes before the race starts by using a Precision Fueling & Hydration 1500 tablet in 500ml of water.

My Marathon Running Watches And Accessories

I always take the chance to test two watches during a marathon as part of my ongoing coverage, and my two favorite running watches right now are the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Coros Pace 4.

It will be interesting to see how the GPS accuracy copes with the part of the London Marathon route around Canary Wharf in particular, which contains several skyscrapers that can block GPS signals, and I’ll also look at the heart rate readings to see if they make sense.

Finally, if it’s sunny, I’ll wear sunglasses, and this year I’ll test out the new SunGod Ultras Air, which I’ve been wearing in the last week or two of training — they’re exceptionally lightweight, so you barely notice them on your face.

The 2026 Paris Marathon takes place on April 12, starting on the Champs-Élysées with around 60,000 runners. The men’s elite field is deep, led by Kinde Atanaw (2:03:51), Leul Gebresilase (2:04:02), and Hillary Kipkoech (2:04:45), with about 20 athletes under 2:10. Victor Kiplangat, the world champion, also features. Expect a fast early pace with a likely winning time of 2:04–2:06.

Here's how to watch Paris Marathon live streams from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE.

In the women’s race, Magdalyne Masai (2:18:58) is the favorite, ahead of Sharon Chelimo and Yebrgual Melese, with a projected winning time around 2:18–2:20. The course runs along the Seine and through parks, with rolling sections and tunnels making it slightly challenging. Overall, the race is notable for its depth and unpredictable tactical racing, rather than a single dominant favorite.

The 2026 Paris Marathon can be watched live via official race broadcasters and online streaming platforms, making it accessible worldwide. Fans can follow elite runners like Kinde Atanaw, Leul Gebresilase, and Magdalyne Masai through live coverage, timing apps, and social media updates.

You'll find a full race day schedule at the bottom of this page. But before that, check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch 2025 Paris Marathon from anywhere — including free streams.

How to watch the Paris Marathon 2026 for FREE

Athletics fans in France can livestream and replay the 2026 Paris Marathon for FREE on France TV (just create a free account).

Traveling outside of France? You will need to use a VPN to get a French IP address and unblock the free stream.

Watch Paris Marathon 2026 from anywhere

If you're abroad and your usual streaming service is geo-blocked, you can unblock it with a VPN. We love NordVPN – it's affordable and deliver safe, secure streaming from any location. Oh and it comes with a 30-day trial and 3 months' free and 75% off today...

Using a VPN is incredibly simple:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if away from France but want to watch your usual free stream, you'd select a France-based server.

3. Enjoy the action. Head to France TV and watch Paris Marathon live stream as if you were back home in France.

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How to watch Paris Marathon 2026 in the U.S. (without cable)

Viewers in the U.S. can live stream the Paris Marathon on USA Network (via Sling / Fubo). There will also be live coverage on Peacock.

For true fans, specialist athletics streamer FloTrack offers the most comprehensive coverage.

FloTrack is available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV and costs $12.50 per month ($150 per year).

Remember, if you are usually based in France you can tap into your usual free France TV stream by using NordVPN.

How to watch 2026 Paris Marathon in Canada

You'll need access to specialist streamer FloTrack in order to watch Paris Marathon 2026 live streams north of the border.

Note that prices are in USD. Monthly subscriptions cost $29.99 (around CA$41) and $210 (approx. $290) for a whole year.

How to stream the Paris Marathon 2025 live in the U.K.

Live coverage of today's 2026 Paris Marathon will be broadcast on TNT Sports and HBO Max in the U.K. Coverage starts at 6:45 a.m. BST.

If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch from abroad.

Watch Paris Marathon live stream in Australia

The 2026 Paris Marathon is being shown on FloTrack in Australia, where a subscription costs US$29.99 (approximately AU$45) per month or US$210 (around AU$310) for a whole year.

Remember, if you are usually based in France you can use NordVPN to tap into your domestic free live stream provided by France TV.

Paris Marathon schedule

• Sunday, April 12, 2026
  • 07:55 – Wheelchair start
  • 08:00 – Elite runners & first wave start
  • 08:00–~11:30 – Mass start waves (staggered)
• 🏃 Wave schedule (approx pattern)
  • 08:04 – Sub-3:00 runners
  • 08:15 – Sub-3:15
  • 08:34 – Sub-3:30
  • 09:24 – Sub-3:45
  • 10:09 – Sub-4:00
  • 11:00+ – Slower waves
• 👉 Starts are spread over ~3.5 hours to reduce congestion.

Paris Marathon route map 2025

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• How to watch Paris-Roubaix 2026
• The best running shoes to buy right now
• We've tested the best cheap running headphones for exercise on a budget

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I’ve been testing Kiprun running shoes for years but the brand has only just launched its line-up in the U.S., and it’s the perfect time to do so because Kiprun has been firing on all cylinders with its new releases in 2026.

The comfortable Kiprun Kipride Max and trail-focused Kipsummit Max have both impressed me, but the star of the show is the Kiprun Kipride Tempo; a max-stack super-trainer that delivers a highly versatile ride at a more affordable price than is typical for shoes of its type.

It undercuts some of the best running shoes available, like the Asics Megablast and Adidas Hyperboost Edge, while offering a similar level of performance.

The Kipstorm Tempo is not quite as good value in the U.S. as it is elsewhere, but it’s still cheaper than its rivals and worth considering if you’re looking for an all-rounder or speed shoe for your running shoe rotation.

Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo review: price and availability

The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo launched in the U.S. in April 2026 and costs $170, making it more affordable than most super-trainers, which usually cost $200+. It’s an exceptional value in the U.K., priced at £120 and frequently reduced to £99.

Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo review: Design and fit

The Kipstorm Tempo is currently available in two colors, including the grey and blue design I tested. I found that going half a size down on my normal running shoe size created the best fit, as Kiprun shoes often come up a bit long in my experience.

With a midsole stack height of 45mm at the heel and 37mm at the forefoot, the Kipstorm Tempo is a very cushioned shoe, but it’s still impressively lightweight at 8.3oz in a US men’s 9.5, making it lighter than other super-trainers, including the Megablast and Superblast 3.

Upper

The Kipstorm Tempo has a knit upper which has a close fit around the toes, especially on the outside of the foot — it can rub a little in that area in my experience, but it never caused significant discomfort for me, even on long runs.

I found the upper breathable enough, though I used the shoe in mild or cold conditions, and it held the foot well during faster runs.

Midsole

The sizeable midsole on the Kipstorm Tempo uses two different foams, with a larger top layer of Kiprun’s Fastech Plus foam, which is a supercritical ATPU material, and a bottom layer of firmer compression-moulded EVA foam to create more stiffness and stability.

This combination of foams, along with the compression-moulded sock liner on the shoe, creates a responsive, comfortable ride that works well for a wide range of runs, from easy plods to fast workouts.

Outsole

The Kipstorm Tempo uses a fairly thick layer of rubber to cover the forefoot and heel on the shoe, and it offered reliable grip during my testing of the shoe, which included a lot of runs in very wet conditions.

While there is some exposed foam on the bottom of the shoe, the key impact areas are covered and I have no fears about the durability of the Kipstorm Tempo’s outsole.

Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo review: Running performance

After it received a strong recommendation from a friend, I was excited to test the Kipstorm Tempo and it hasn’t disappointed. I’ve used it for a wide variety of runs, including a 15-mile long run, interval and tempo workouts and plenty of easy, steady daily training.

For such a large shoe, the Kipstorm Tempo feels nimble at faster paces, and it transitions quickly from heel to toe. Some max-stack super-trainers feel a bit clumsy during workouts, but not the Kipstorm Tempo.

The foam in the midsole is firmer than some, like the FF Leap in the Asics Superblast 3, but I still found the shoe comfortable for long runs, and the Fastech Plus material on the Kipstorm Tempo delivers a lot of energy return, especially at faster speeds.

I also enjoyed cruising around in the shoe at an easy pace. It’s certainly comfortable enough for this, and unless you need extra support from your running shoe, I don’t think it’s too unstable to use day in, day out for your training.

Should you buy the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo?

The Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo is one of my favorite running shoes of 2026 so far, and I rate it among the best daily trainers available purely on performance. When you add in its relatively low price, it becomes even more compelling.

In the U.K., it’s an easy shoe to recommend because it’s so cheap, but even in the U.S., I’d pick it ahead of shoes like the Megablast and Hyperboost Edge because it’s more affordable. The Megablast might still have the edge on pure performance for me, because its midsole foam is even better than the Kiprun’s, but it’s close.

There are a couple of cheaper shoes you could look at in the U.S. if you’d prefer to stick with a lower-stack daily trainer, like the Hoka Mach 7 and Saucony Endorphin Azura. These are both lightweight, versatile shoes, though not as cushioned and bouncy as the Kipstorm Tempo.

I’m delighted that Kiprun has finally made its move into the U.S. market in general, as the brand is going from strength to strength with its top running shoes, and the Kipstorm Tempo is a great place to start if you’ve never tried a Kiprun shoe before.

Lately, I’ve started running again, using my Apple Watch Series 9 to keep track of my workouts. While it’s been phenomenal at showing me the week-over-week improvements I’ve been making, I’m still forced to bring my iPhone 17 Pro on all of my runs.

It’s annoying because the whole point of wearing the best smartwatch around my wrist is to free myself from my iPhone when I exercise, so it’s one less thing I have to worry about. The problem is partly due to how the YouTube Music app doesn’t let me download music locally to my Apple Watch. Instead, it simply functions as a glorified Bluetooth controller to access the app's functions on my iPhone — and that’s not helpful at all.

That’s why I’ve started wearing a Google Pixel Watch 3 on my other wrist, simply to allow me to listen to my music without my phone. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Apple Watch, but it desperately needs to fix this. Here’s why.

YouTube Music app for watchOS is just a controller

Obviously, I like the convenience of using my Apple Watch to control the music I’m listening to on my AirPods Pro 3. At first, it wasn’t a problem because I was carrying my iPhone whenever I went for a run. However, the moment I left my home without my phone, the music immediately stopped.

I soon realized that I needed my iPhone on me to use the YouTube Music app on my Apple Watch. I thought it might work if my watch were connected to Wi-Fi — and it did, even when I put my phone into airplane mode. But the moment I stepped out to run without my iPhone, it stopped working.

You can imagine my frustration by this point, but it’s apparent that the app is nothing more than a controller. I verified this by shutting down my iPhone completely, at which point I was finally given a message that my phone was disconnected and out of range.

Standalone streaming on Pixel Watch

After a couple of days trying to figure out what to do, I decided to set up an old Pixel Watch 3 I previously used — and not surprisingly, it works like a charm. For context, both my Apple Watch and Pixel Watch are LTE versions with active cellular data plans. These plans allow them to operate independently, but the Pixel Watch is the only one that truly severs the tether to a phone.

I’ve paired my Pixel Buds Pro 2 with my Pixel Watch 3, which lets me stream my entire library while I’m running. Beyond that, it also stores songs from my Downloads playlist locally, so I’m not forced to constantly stream and eat up my data.

It’s honestly the only fix I have until Google addresses this. You read that right: it’s actually Google that needs to fix this, not Apple.

Apple has the door open, but Google hasn’t walked through

This is more of a Google problem than anything else, as Apple has provided the necessary APIs for developers to stream and locally store songs on the Apple Watch. In fact, I can already stream via LTE using apps like Spotify and Pandora.

Yet, the YouTube Music app for watchOS remains reluctant to offer this simple functionality — which serves as a massive incentive to choose a Pixel Watch over an Apple Watch. You could argue that I should just subscribe to another music streaming service, but that’s just throwing money away.

I might look weird wearing two smartwatches for now, but I’m going to have to do it until Google decides to stop gatekeeping its best features and actually support the platforms its customers are using.

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• Apple Watch Series 12 rumors — everything we know so far
• Garmin’s rumored screen-less wearable just might be the subscription-free Whoop rival I’ve been waiting for

Time is always tight when you’re marathon training, because you suddenly have to fit in a lot more running alongside your usual responsibilities. Add in the fact you’re also more tired than usual, and it’s easy to let things like stretching and strength work fall by the wayside.

The trouble is, you increase your risk of injury if you’re not doing that supportive work. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you, and for me, that means doing things like stretching and strength training in regular but small doses, rather than trying to commit to long sessions.

To that end, there are three stretches I do daily to look after my body during marathon training, and they only take five minutes to do. You can do them straight after your run or later in the day — I often slip them in while making a cup of tea.

Couch stretch

I generally favor dynamic stretches with movement, but this static stretch has been great for easing tightness in my quads and hips, and I always do it to start my quick stretching routine.

The image above shows a free-standing version of the stretch, but I find it easier and more effective to do it against a table, wall, or couch. I aim to hold the stretch for 30-60 seconds on each side.

• Place a cushion on the floor just in front of your couch or wall.
• Put one knee on the cushion and rest your shin against the couch/wall so your foot is pointing upward.
• Step forward with your other foot to get into a lunge position.
• Hold this position and tilt your hips forward slightly to feel the stretch in your upper quads and hips.

The closer your knee is to the couch and the more upright you are, the deeper the stretch. You can make it easier by moving your back knee away from the couch and by leaning forward over your front knee.

Downward-facing dog with pedals

Downward-facing dog is a staple of pretty much any yoga routine and for good reason; it’s fantastic for stretching out the back of your body, including your calves and hamstrings.

I like to do a dynamic version of the move where I pedal my feet to get a deeper stretch in my calves, which are always tight during weeks when I run a lot of miles.

• Start on all fours with your shoulders over your wrists and your hips over your knees.
• Push up into an inverted ‘V’ shape, with your hips towards the ceiling and your head between your arms.
• Pedal by straightening each leg in turn to deepen the stretch in your calf muscle while bending the opposing knee.

I usually do 10 slow, controlled pedals on each side, aiming to get my heels closer to the floor as I work through.

World’s greatest stretch

This stretch lives up to its name by working pretty much the entire body, and I use it to round off my short routine.

• From standing, bend over and walk your hands out until you’re in a high push-up position.
• Bring your left foot forward and place it outside your left hand, keeping your right leg straight.
• The stretch is usually done with the back leg raised, but you can bring your knee to the floor if that feels more accessible.
• Lift your left arm for a twist, then lower your left elbow toward the floor; rotate your torso and stretch your left arm up toward the ceiling again.
• Bring your left arm down and switch sides, including your leading leg.

I do a dynamic version of the move first, rotating my torso five times, holding the stretch for five deep breaths with my arm stretched toward the ceiling, then switching to the other side of my body.

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The Adidas line-up contains some of the best running shoes available, most notably the terrific Adidas Evo SL, but up until now it had lacked a true ‘super-trainer.’

These use cutting-edge foams and tech to offer an elevated experience for your daily training, with high stacks and even higher prices being the norm.

The Adidas Hyperboost Edge fills this gap in the Adidas line-up, and is built to rival the best established super-trainers, like the Asics Superblast 3 and Asics Megablast.

I thoroughly enjoyed my runs in the Hyperboost Edge, which has a very bouncy ride for daily training runs. However, it’s not quite as speedy as some top rivals, and has a rigid, uncomfortable upper that does undermine the fun of running in the shoe.

Adidas Hyperboost Edge review: price and availability

The Adidas Hyperboost Edge launched in March 2026, and it costs $200 in the U.S. and £170 in the U.K., which is about par for a super-trainer. More traditional Adidas daily trainers like the Evo SL or Supernova Rise 3 cost more like $140-$150.

Adidas Hyperboost Edge review: design and fit

The Hyperboost Edge is currently only available in its launch color — the bright red and white design I tested — which is certainly eye-catching and might not be to everyone’s tastes.

It stands 45mm tall at the heel and 39mm at the forefoot for a 6mm drop, making it a true max-stack shoe. Despite this, it only weighs 9oz in my US men’s size 9.5, which is a testament to how light the Hyperboost Pro midsole foam is.

I found that the shoe fit me well with regards to length in my normal running shoe size, but the upper was uncomfortable around the collar, which is rigid and digs into your skin when you roll slightly against it.

Upper

The Primeweave upper is undoubtedly the weakest part of the Hyperboost Edge’s design, and while it didn’t completely ruin the shoe for me, it does make rivals with better uppers more attractive in comparison.

For one, the amount of overlays on the shoe means that it’s not very breathable in hot conditions, and the stiff, high heel collar is a regular annoyance on the run.

It’s an unnecessary own goal from Adidas to have this upper on the shoe, since the midsole foam and outsole are excellent.

Midsole

The Hyperboost Pro midsole foam is made from a pelletized form of Lightstrike Pro, the foam used in Adidas’ carbon plate racing shoes.

It’s a highly bouncy material that’s also soft enough to be comfortable without feeling wobbly or unstable. Though the Hyperboost Edge isn’t perfect overall, I loved the feel of this midsole foam and look forward to seeing it used on other shoes, too.

Outsole

The Hyperboost Edge has a full outsole made from Adidas’ lightweight Lighttraxion rubber, which has gripped well for me throughout testing.

This kind of full outsole is rare to see on running shoes these days — most just cover the heel and forefoot to make the shoe lighter overall.

Having a full outsole should increase the durability of the shoe, and I also think it helps to add stability as a firmer layer beneath the softer midsole foam.

Adidas Hyperboost Edge review: running performance

I used the Adidas Hyperboost Edge for a mix of training runs, including several progression runs where I increased the pace throughout, and a tempo run in the afternoon of a double workout day.

It’s striking how springy the foam is, even at easy paces. As a fairly light runner with a shuffling stride, I sometimes fail to unlock the bounce from midsole foams until I hit faster speeds, but the Hyperboost Edge was springy at all times.

That bounce means that the shoe feels lighter than it is, and it transitioned from heel-to-toe naturally and quickly throughout my runs. It’s particularly enjoyable at easy and steady paces, and is a great long run shoe if you don’t find the upper too annoying.

At faster paces, the Hyperboost Edge can feel a little bit awkward, though, just because of the size of the shoe. It wouldn’t be my first pick for all-out workouts or racing, but it can do those runs well enough if you’re using it as an all-rounder.

Should you buy the Adidas Hyperboost Edge?

The Hyperboost Edge is a versatile and fun sneaker that will make your daily runs a little more enjoyable thanks to its springy ride, but it doesn’t do quite enough to make it a must-buy in my opinion, especially given the problematic upper and the quality of its competition.

If you do want a super-trainer to do everything, I still favor the Asics Megablast, which is lighter and faster while still being great for easy and long runs as well. The Asics Superblast 3 is similarly versatile to the Adidas, but softer and has a more comfortable upper.

There are cheaper alternatives too, most notably the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, which is another impressive super-trainer with a faster feel, though it’s a little firmer than the Hyperboost Edge for easy runs.

The Saucony Endorphin Azura is another cheaper option to consider. It doesn’t have as high a stack height as the Hyperboost Edge, but it is still comfortable, lightweight, and versatile.

Adidas is on the right track with this new Hyperboost Pro foam, and the Hyperboost Edge is a very good shoe. With a few tweaks to the upper in particular, the second version of the sneaker could be outstanding.

When it comes to apparel for running — either short-distance sprints or long-distance marathons — I'd argue picking the right shorts is crucial. Think about it: they have to be both comfortable and functional around a pretty crucial area of the body for optimal movement.

I know what I need in a pair of shorts. That's to be comfortable (nobody wants chafing) as well as have pockets for my gloves, gels, or keys for the times when I don't want to pull on one of the best running belts.

But I'm not above trying something new, which is why I went out for a short distance run in the $89 New Balance RC Ultra Light Split Short 3".

I'm currently training for a marathon, which means a lot of running with plenty of different distances, locations and speeds. And I can comfortably say with absolute certainty that five miles in these shorts was enough to tell me I wouldn't go anywhere near them for marathon attire.

At just three inches in length with a split, these shorts are revealing, bordering on indecent. I'm 5'10", and neither I nor the onlookers I passed were quite prepared for the amount of flesh on display.

If you're Chris Hemsworth and running down a sunny promenade on the Californian coastline in June, then exposing thighs is practically mandated. Not so much for a 5'10" writer pounding pavement on a 48°F overcast day in March. If you're wary of revealing too much while you're at the gym or on the track, these shorts are not for you.

Secondly, let's talk about the pockets. Or rather, the lack thereof. There's no small zippered compartment at the back but instead two small "drop in" pockets just behind your hips. I found these were perfect for a single key that would slot in and stay secure without moving around, but not big enough for much else. There's no way you're going to get a phone or any energy gels stashed into there.

In any competitive race, there's going to be aid stations, and serious runners will have one of the best running watches keeping tabs on their progress. So they may not need an excess of pockets, but that's not me.

I think the average everyday runner is going to want to carry their phone or a few other items with them. That means you'll likely need a running vest or belt to go with these shorts if you plan on wearing them.

What they are suitable for

So, these aren't the shorts for me when it comes to long-distance running, but that doesn't mean I'm discounting them completely. They are — as the name suggests — incredibly light. If you're looking to hit a PR by shedding weight, then I'm not sure you can do better than these shorts.

There's a thick waistband that was snug throughout my run, and the stretch fabric gives you huge freedom of movement. Nothing rubbed or rode up during the run, which is also crucially important.

On (warm and sunny) days when I want to go for a speed session and carry minimal equipment with me, these shorts seem perfect.

The huge benefit of having such small and light shorts is that they take up very little space in your gym bag. If you're a regular office commuter but hit the gym or yoga studio during lunch break, these are a perfect choice.

The only real stumbling block here is the $89 price, which is a lot to swallow for so little material. I'm also interested to see how they hold up over time with repeated washes.

But for now, I'll settle for saying the New Balance RC Ultra Light Split Short is best suited to gym work or a quick 5K run where you're really trying to break a speed record. Anything longer or more labored, and I think most people will want something more substantial. Of course, if you disagree, then let me know in the comments!

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You might not yet have heard of Mount to Coast, but it’s a brand I think avid runners are going to learn about in the next few years, because the quality of its first few shoe releases has been impressive.

My introduction to the brand was through the Mount to Coast R1, a lightweight daily trainer for road runs, and I’ve been testing the Mount to Coast C1 for a couple of weeks ahead of its launch, running 30 miles in it so far.

The Mount to Coast C1 is a high-stack super-trainer for the road, which aims to offer a combination of comfort and speed thanks to the blend of foams in its midsole.

I’ve enjoyed my runs in the C1 and did find it a versatile shoe, but it didn’t blow me away and the high price still means it’s a tricky sell compared to some of the best running shoes I’ve tested from more established brands.

My likes and dislikes after running 30 miles in the Mount to Coast C1 are below, but first, here’s the key information you need to know.

Mount to Coast C1: Cheat sheet

• Price: $180
• Designed for: Road running
• Colors: White/red, white/purple, black
• Drop: 6mm
• Stack height: 42mm heel, 36mm forefoot
• Upper: Mesh with TunedFit dual-lacing system
• Midsole: Top layer of CircleCell foam, bottom layer rubberized EVA
• Outsole: Rubberized EVA

Like #1: The ride is comfortable and smooth

The high stack of foam and rockered midsole design make the Mount to Coast C1 a great option for cruising through long and easy runs.

It cushions the impact of running well but isn’t just about protection, with the rocker moving you swiftly onto your forefoot so you keep rolling along.

I find it felt natural to run at easy, steady paces in the shoe, and that it was great to use during high-mileage weeks with the smooth, cushioned ride.

Like #2: The CircleCell foam is energetic at faster paces

I’m not 100% sure what the CircleCell foam in the C1’s midsole is made of, but whatever the material is, it delivers a high level of energy return, especially during tempo runs.

It’s not as soft and springy as some foams, but it’s still comfortable, and I found it responsive during my faster runs in the shoe, and it maintained a consistent level of bounce over longer efforts.

Like #3: It’s stable for a high-stack shoe

One drawback with many super-trainers is a lack of stability, because high stacks of soft foam don’t lend themselves to a stable ride, but the Mount to Coast C1 bucks that trend.

Thanks to the firmer bottom layer of foam in the midsole, the shoe’s wide base and sidewalls of foam that cradle the back of your foot, the C1 feels stable and supportive on the run, so if you’ve struggled with wobbly shoes in the past, it could be a good alternative.

Like #4: The wide fit and dual-lacing system is accommodating

The dual-lacing system used by Mount to Coast is unique and allows you to adjust the fit around the lower midfoot and toebox using a quick-lock toggle with more traditional laces used at the top of the shoe.

It’s especially useful for ultramarathons when you might want to loosen the fit around your forefoot as your feet swell, but even if you have no intention of running that far, it makes it easy to get a secure and comfortable fit in general.

The wide toebox on the shoe is also accommodating and gives more room than you tend to get with super-trainers, I find, so the C1 will be of interest to those with wide feet.

Dislike #1: It’s not as light and fast as other super-trainers

The Mount to Coast C1 is light for a high-stack shoe at 9.3oz for a US men’s size 9.5, but other similar shoes are lighter, including the Asics Superblast 3 and Asics Megablast.

It also doesn’t feel quite as snappy and quick as those shoes or some other super-trainers, and I didn’t love the C1 for harder workouts.

The C1 is at its best for easy or steady daily training and is great for that, but if you’re splashing out on a super-trainer, I want it to perform brilliantly at fast speeds as well, because cheaper options like the Hoka Mach 7 and Saucony Endorphin Azura can handle easy and steady runs just as well.

Dislike #2: The foam is not as springy as some

I do like the CircleCell foam in the midsole of the Mount to Coast C1, but it’s not the softest or bounciest material, and it’s dulled further by the thick layer of EVA foam beneath.

The ride of the shoe is good, but once again, it feels more like a great daily trainer than a true super-trainer for me. The Superblast 3 is softer and bouncier, the Megablast is more energetic, and the cheaper Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo has a faster turnover and a livelier feel off the toes.

While I did enjoy every run in the Mount to Coast C1, I wouldn’t spend $180 on it ahead of these other options, and more affordable shoes like the Azura would also be a better buy in my view.

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When you’re spending long days running on tricky terrain, dependability is a huge factor to consider when selecting your shoe, and the Hoka Speedgoat line has a well-earned reputation for reliability with regards to both comfort and grip.

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 lives up to that fine heritage, and is the best model of the shoe I’ve tested, with an improved midsole foam that offers a more energetic ride without sacrificing stability.

I rate the Speedgoat 7 as one of the best trail-running shoes available thanks to the combination of comfort and speed it offers, plus its excellent outsole, which grips well on a wide range of wet and dry terrain.

Hoka Speedgoat 7 review: price and availability

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 launched in early 2026 and costs $165 in the U.S. and £145 in the U.K, which is a $10/£5 price rise on the Hoka Speedgoat 6. Its not a cheap shoe, but the Speedgoat 7’s price is still in line with big rivals like the Merrell Agility Peak 6 and Saucony Peregrine 16.

Hoka Speedgoat 7 review: design and fit

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 is currently available to all in three colors including the black and white model I tested, and there is an all-black design that's only available to Hoka members.

Two colors of the shoe are available in a wide fit, which is useful as the standard Speedgoat 7 is quite a narrow shoe. That suits me well as I have a narrow foot, but the protective overlays on the upper mean it's quite stiff, so you do want to make sure you have enough room or it can feel uncomfortable.

The Speedgoat 7 has a heel-to-toe offset of around 5mm and a stack height of just under 40mm at the heel. It weighs 10.1oz in my U.S. men’s size 9.5, which is pretty light given the high stack and thick outsole on the shoe.

Upper

The upper on the Speedgoat 7 is made from RPET woven textile material and has protective overlays around the forefoot and a pull tab at the back along with a loop you can use to attach gaiters.

It’s not the most comfortable upper, but does provide protection when running on untamed trails where you might easily kick roots and rocks, and I found it held my foot securely when running downhill or on twisty, narrow trails.

Midsole

The midsole on the Hoka Speedgoat 7 is made from a supercritical EVA foam, which is a lighter and livelier material than the compression-moulded EVA used on past models of the shoe.

It’s still not a very soft or springy foam though, which is good in that it feels stable and supportive when running on uneven ground.

Outsole

The Speedgoat 7 has a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs. The lugs are broad enough to provide grip and smooth ride feel on harder, flatter trails and roads, but also have enough bite to dig into softer trails.

I ran on a wide variety of trails in wet and dry conditions during my testing of the shoe, including well-groomed paths, mud, rocky tracks and rooty single-track trails. Aside from deep muddy trails where I prefer a specialist studded trail shoe, the Speedgoat 7’s grip was faultless throughout.

Hoka Speedgoat 7 review: running performance

I’ve run in the past three models of the Hoka Speedgoat and the word that always comes to mind when I think of the shoe is reliability. Whatever kind of run I have planned, and whatever kind of terrain I’m likely to come across, the Speedgoat is going to get the job done.

That remains the case with the Speedgoat 7, which grips well on almost every surface and has a comfortable ride for long easy runs, but is light and responsive enough for when you do want to pick up the pace.

Along with a couple of easy runs in my local forest, which mostly has well-groomed if muddy trails, I used the Speedgoat 7 for a two-hour fell run, during which I ran on all kinds of trails and did some steep climbing and descending.

It’s not the kind of mountainous terrain hardened ultramarathoners will have to tackle, but I have little doubt the Speedgoat 7 will perform well in such conditions as well.

There are more specialized trail shoes that outperform the Speedgoat 7 on comfort, speed, or agility, but as an all-rounder that copes well in almost all conditions, the Speedgoat 7 is hard to top.

Should you buy the Hoka Speedgoat 7?

If you’re a committed trail runner the Speedgoat 7 should be on your radar as a great option to tackle a wide variety of terrain and types of run. It ticks all the boxes and has a livelier ride than the Speedgoat 6 thanks to the updated midsole.

There are some trail shoes I’ve tested that will work better in some conditions though. If you mostly stick to light trails and gravel paths the Speedgoat 7 might be overkill, and the Salomon Aero Glide 4 GRVL is a more cushioned and comfortable option to consider.

If you, like me, spend a lot of your off-road runs wading through mud, you could look at a specialist shoe with deeper lugs, like the Inov8 MudTalon Speed v2.

There are also some more speed-focused trail shoes with carbon plates, which cost more than the Speedgoat but offer faster, more propulsive rides, like the Hoka Tecton X3.

As an all-rounder, however, the Speedgoat 7 is as good as it gets, and it’s an easy shoe to recommend as a reliable pick that can handle almost anything the great outdoors throws at you.

As a running shoe reviewer who lives in the U.K., I’ve been testing Kiprun sneakers for many years, and it’s always been a frustration that I haven’t been able to recommend them to people based in the U.S., where they haven’t been available.

That’s about the change, because Kiprun is launching several of its best running shoes Stateside this April, including three shoes I rate among my favorites of 2026 so far.

Kiprun has long been known for making great value durable running shoes, but until the past few months, those sneakers haven’t quite met the performance standards of the absolute best available.

While not every Kiprun shoe is a winner — I don’t think the Kiprun Kipstorm Elite matches the best carbon plate running shoes, for example — there are several shoes in the line-up that are among the top options in their category.

That means it’s well worth knowing about Kiprun ahead of the U.S. launch if you’re a keen runner, but there is a catch — for whatever reason, Kiprun’s shoes aren’t quite as cheap in the U.S. as they are this side of the pond.

They still offer good value, though, and these three shoes are worth looking at in particular when they launch in April. The shoes will be available from Kiprun directly in April, as well as retailers including Running Warehouse.

Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo

The Kipstorm Tempo is a max-stack super-trainer in the mould of shoes like the Asics Megablast, and delivers a similar level of performance to those shoes but without the outrageously high price tag.

It’s excellent value in the UK, where it’s often half the price of shoes like the Asics Superblast 3, and in the U.S., it’s competitively priced at $170, given the quality of the Tempo.

I’ve used the Kipstorm Tempo for all kinds of runs, including a 15-mile long run, a couple of tempo runs, and a hard interval workout, and it’s impressed me every time. It’s one of the most versatile new shoes of 2026.

Kiprun Kipride Max

The Kipride Max is a max-cushioned daily trainer that offers a lot of comfort for your easy and long runs in particular.

It uses a blend of foams in its midsole to create a ride that I found surprisingly energetic and comfortable, and the shoe's mild rocker helps you roll through on your toes with each stride.

For such a cushioned shoe, it’s a little more fun and effective at fast paces than you might expect, and I like the Kipride Max more than many very popular cushioned shoes like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 28.

It’s also a little cheaper than my favorite shoe in this category — the Nike Vomero Plus — so the Kipride Max is worth looking at if you’re craving some comfort on the run.

Kiprun Kipsummit Max

The Kipsummit Max is another highly-cushioned option from Kiprun, but this time it’s a shoe built for the trails, with a thick Vibram Megagrip outsole offering reliable grip on all kinds of terrain.

It’s billed as a shoe that can handle long ultramarathons on mountainous terrain, which no doubt it can, but as someone based in north London, I’ve been testing it as a comfortable daily trainer that can handle mud as well as firmer trails, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it for that job.

The aliphatic TPU foam in the midsole delivers both comfort and bounce, and the rockered design of the shoe means the miles tick by smoothly, no matter how far you’re running.

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The original Asics Superblast came out of nowhere to not only become a word-of-mouth sensation among keen runners, but also essentially create a new category of running shoe — the max-stack, plate-free super-trainer.

Some of the best running shoes available right now fit this category, like the Asics Megablast and Adidas Hyperboost Edge, meaning the Asics Superblast 3 has more competition than its predecessors.

Fortunately the updates Asics has made to the shoe mean that the Superblast 3 remains one of the top daily trainers on the market thanks to its comfortable, bouncy ride.

It’s an expensive shoe though, so is the Superblast 3 worth its high price? Tom's Guide Fitness editor Jane McGuire and I have been racking up the miles in it to find out; here’s our full Asics Superblast 3 review.

Asics Superblast 3 review: price and availability

The Asics Superblast 3 launched in February 2026 and costs $210 in the U.S. and £200 in the U.K., the same price as the Asics Superblast 2. It’s one of the most expensive training shoes on the market, though similar in price to other max-stack super-trainers like the Megablast and Hyperboost Edge, which are $225 and $200 respectively.

Asics Superblast 3 review: design

The Superblast 3 is currently available in three colors including the eye-catching Cobalt Burst/Light Orange model we tested — there are more subtle options available, rest assured.

With a stack height of 46.5mm at the heel and 38.5mm at the forefoot, the Superblast 3 is truly a max-stack running shoe, and it’s 1.5mm taller than its predecessor, though the drop stays the same at 8mm.

Despite this abundance of foam the Superblast 3 is still impressively light, tipping the scales at 8.6oz in my U.S. men’s size 10. It’s actually a touch lighter than the Superblast 2 despite having a higher stack.

Upper

The Superblast 3 has an engineered woven upper with padding around the collar to increase the shoe’s step-in comfort. It’s a lightweight material that has some more open sections in the forefoot to increase breathability.

I think it could benefit from being a little more open in areas to make it more breathable for runs on hot days, especially with long runs in mind, but it was fine during my testing in mild conditions.

Midsole

The biggest change to the Superblast 3 compared with the Superblast 2 is the addition of FF Leap foam to its midsole. This replaces the FF Turbo+ used in the Superblast 2 and is a lighter, softer and bouncier foam.

Underneath a big layer of FF Leap is a layer of FF Blast+ foam, which is firmer and adds more stability to the shoe than you’d have with just the soft FF Leap foam.

Outsole

There are patches of AsicsGrip rubber positioned strategically around the bottom of the Superblast 3 to provide grip and durability in the most important areas of the heel and forefoot of the shoe.

I found that the shoe gripped well for me throughout testing in both wet and dry conditions, and the rubber is thick enough to suggest durability won’t be a concern.

Fit

JM: I found the Superblast 3 fit true to size. I wear a U.K. 4.5 in my everyday sneakers, but size up to a U.K. 5 in running shoes, and this fit me well. The laces can be pulled tight for a secure fit across the top of the shoe, even if, like me, you have high arches.

NHF: I found that the Superblast 3 fit me well in my normal running shoe size, the same size I use across the Asics line-up and have used for the past two models of the shoe.

Asics Superblast 3 review: running performance

JM: I've run about 40 miles in the Superblast 3, using it for two long runs of 17 miles, with ten miles at marathon pace, and a 20-mile run, as well as a five-mile tempo run.

I've been impressed with the versatility of this shoe, which is bouncy and responsive enough to cope with faster sessions, while still being soft enough for long runs. I found that even towards the end of my run, when my legs were tired, and I tend to overpronate, this shoe was balanced.

It's quickly become my go-to marathon training shoe, replacing the Nike Vomero Plus as my long run shoe.

NHF: I’ve run 40 miles in the Superblast 3 and used it for a mix of training runs, including a couple of tempo runs, a track session and a couple of easy runs.

The addition of FF Leap foam in the midsole changes the ride considerably compared to past models, making the Superblast 3 the softest and bounciest version of the shoe yet.

It’s very comfortable and works well for easy runs, especially longer efforts, and has enough bounce and is light enough for fast runs as well.

However, the sheer size of the shoe detracts from its performance at faster speeds — when I was doing 800m reps in the shoe it felt a bit labored. It feels better at easy and tempo paces, rather than all-out workouts.

It’s such a good daily trainer that you can forgive the less impressive performance at faster speeds, but given the quality of rivals like the Asics Megablast and Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, which are better for fast runs, it is a drawback for the Superblast 3.

Should you buy the Asics Superblast 3?

JM: There's no doubt about it, this is an expensive running shoe, but if you can afford it, it's an exciting shoe that will earn its place in your collection. It copes with speed sessions as well as long runs, and if you're training for a marathon, especially, you'll get a lot out of it.

That said, if you're on a budget, I still love the Nike Vomero Plus, which is often on sale at the moment for about half the price of the Superblast 3.

NHF: I love the Superblast 3, and if I were a runner with a lot of spare cash, I’d convince myself to add it to my running shoe rotation to pick up easy long runs in particular, but I don’t think it’s an essential buy, and there are super-trainers I rate a little more highly.

The Asics Megablast is a little more expensive, but it’s a better all-rounder in my book, because it’s more effective at fast paces and still great for easy and long runs, though not quite as stable as the Superblast 3.

An even more compelling alternative is the Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo, which launches in the U.S. in April and is cheaper than the Superblast 3 and a better all-rounder for me, thanks to its extra speed. If you’re focused on the soft springiness of the Asics, then the Nike Vomero Plus is a good alternative for easy and long runs, though heavier.

I think any runner who does pick up the Superblast 3 will enjoy it, but if you’re on a tight budget and looking to maximize value with your shoes, it’s not one I’d grab.

The best running watches go beyond simply tracking your training; they provide active guidance to help you get fitter and perform at your best. Fueling reminders are a great example of this — your watch can help you stay on top of your nutrition so you don’t run out of energy during long workouts and races.

It’s a feature that I think is especially useful for marathoners, because you need to take on carbs throughout your longest training runs and the race itself to avoid hitting the wall and even with a strict nutrition plan in place it’s easy to forget when you’re 15-20 miles into a run.

All of the best sports watches now offer fueling reminders as a standard feature you can set up, but it’s sometimes buried deep within the menus on the watch, while with some smartwatches you need to download a separate app to get fueling alerts.

I’ve explained how to set up fueling alerts on Apple, Garmin, Coros, and Polar watches below, so if you have one of those strapped to your wrist use this guide to plan your nutrition for your longest runs.

How to set up fuelling alerts on a Garmin watch

You can set alerts based on time or distance in the run activity with the best Garmin watches, here’s how.

1. Open up the run activity and scroll down to run settings.
2. Select ‘Alerts’ and then ‘Add New’
3. Choose ‘Custom’ and then select ‘Eat’
4. Choose either ‘Time’ or ‘Distance’ and set how often you want to get an alert

You can then customize the alert to say whether you want it to repeat or not and also the message that appears — you could set up several alerts and name them to the exact gel or drink you should take at that point.

How to set up fuelling alerts on an Apple Watch

While there’s no explicit nutrition alert option available natively on the Apple Watch or Apple Watch Ultra, you can set recurring time alerts for an activity in the Workout app, which you can use to remind you to eat.

1. Open the ‘Workout’ app and select the running activity you want to use
2. Select the bell icon in the bottom left corner of the screen
3. Scroll down to’ Time’, turn the alert on and select the time interval you want to use

You can get dedicated nutrition alerts by using third-party apps on the Apple Watch, including my favorite run tracking app WorkOutDoors, which has an eat reminder option in its settings screen under ‘Alerts’.

How to set up fuelling alerts on a Coros watch

It’s quick and easy to set up alerts on a Coros watch, but you can only do them based on time, not distance.

1. Open up the run activity and scroll down to ‘Activity Alerts’
2. Scroll down and select ‘Nutrition Alerts’
3. Choose how often you want to get the alerts and turn them on

How to set up fuelling alerts on a Polar watch

Polar’s FuelWise feature is more advanced than the basic alerts you get on other watches, because the smart carbs reminder it offers can suggest when you need more fuel based on the time and intensity of your run.

You can also set manual alerts based on time if you prefer, as well as setting up a separate drinks reminder.

For the smart carbs reminders:

1. Open up the run activity and select ‘Fueling’
2. Choose ‘Smart Carbs Reminder’ and set how long your activity will be — the minimum is 30 minutes
3. Select the expected intensity of your session based on heart rate zones
4. Set the carbs per serving of your fuel — you’ll find this in the nutritional info of a gel or drink
5. Hit ‘Next’ to see an overview of your fueling then start your run
6. Throughout the run you’ll get alerts to take carbs based on the intensity of your workout

For the manual carbs reminder:

1. Open up the run activity and select ‘Fueling’
2. Choose ‘Manual Carbs Reminder’ and set the time interval you want between reminders

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The London Marathon is one of the most iconic races in the world — trust me, I’m running it for the fifth time this April. Yesterday, Apple announced it was now an official partner of the TCS London Marathon, and it could hint at bigger future announcements for the Apple Watch.

The partnership places Apple amongst some of the biggest names in running, as a sponsor of one of the biggest races in the world. More than 1.13 million people entered the ballot to run the 2026 London Marathon, with this year’s race taking place on Sunday, April 26.

For Apple, this looks to be the next move in its pursuit to be taken seriously as a running wearable, not ‘just’ a lifestyle watch.

Apple has always been more than capable of tracking your runs, but with recent updates, the watch has gotten smarter, especially with the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, with a 42-hour battery life, dual-band GPS, and it’s lap button, which is a massive win for runners.

You can read what happened when our resident 2:25 marathon runner, Nick Harris-Fry, raced a marathon with the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro here.

Partnering with a global event like the London Marathon further signifies this commitment to running. Personally, as a female runner, I’d love the opportunity to choose a smaller Apple Watch Ultra 3 that would sit more comfortably on my wrist as I clocked up the miles.

What’s more, when comparing the Ultra 3 to any Garmin, it always falls short on battery life.

Of course, as always, Apple remains tight-lipped about future plans and announcement but what Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of Fitness Technologies has said is: “The London Marathon is one of the world’s greatest sporting events and a powerful celebration of the global running community. Apple’s technologies support runners at every level with powerful tools and insights that help them stay motivated, track their progress, and better understand their health and fitness. We couldn’t be more excited to be a partner of the 2026 TCS London Marathon.”

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I had a couple of false starts when I tried to get into running as an adult, and both of them were caused by using the wrong gear. The wrong running shoes in particular — the first time I tried, I used a worn-out set of Converse and almost immediately got shin splits; the second time I bought a set of lightweight racing shoes that were nowhere near comfortable enough, just because I’d seen elite runners wearing them.

So, when it comes to running gear, I always recommend beginners start with a comfortable pair of cushioned running shoes. The Asics Novablast 5 or Nike Vomero Plus are my two top picks for this, and both will make your first steps in the sport a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

It’s not just proper running shoes I wish I’d known about, though. I’ve been running most days for over 10 years now and have logged 15 marathons in that time, and I know that getting the right apparel and accessories makes a huge difference to your comfort on the run

That's things like 2-in-1 shorts that reduce the risk of chafing, a belt to carry your phone, open headphones so you can listen to your music while staying aware of your surroundings and durable running socks that save you from blisters.

Here are the 12 bits of running kit I’d suggest looking at if you’re a beginner.

I’d been running for five years before I started to keep a proper running journal, and when I did finally begin to log all my runs properly, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed doing it and the benefits it brought, especially when marathon training.

Taking the time to reflect on your run usually brings a fresh perspective to your training and helps me feel more positive about it. I love having a record of my runs to look back on when I near race day and need a confidence boost.

For the first few years, I used a written journal, but two years ago, I started using the Day One journal app, and it’s been so easy to use that I doubt I’ll go back to pen and paper.

Using a digital journal means you can search your past runs to see the training you’ve done and the kit you’ve used, and I love the way Day One is laid out and shows a map of your run if you paste in a Strava link.

Here are four reasons why I think every runner should try keeping a journal, and a bit more on how I use Day One.

You take the time to consider your training

It’s never a bad idea to reflect on your training to check in on your effort levels and how you feel about it afterwards. I’ve found that you nearly always will take a more positive spin on what you’ve done when you take a second look at it.

I like to jot down the training I’ve done and how I feel it went, and using a journal means you can also compare it to similar runs you’ve done in the past to look at your progress.

In the past, I’ve used emojis or effort ratings as well for each run, but now I prefer to just write how I felt the run went or any notable things that happened.

You can opt to include whatever stats you like too — I record pace, distance and time — but you can record whatever feels necessary with regards to what you want to remember about that run.

Running can be hard, and simply taking the time to acknowledge the run you just did is a good way to make you feel proud of the work done that day.

You can use it to build confidence

Every runner gets nervous when race day draws near, and all kinds of doubts about their fitness and ability will start to crop up.

This is particularly true for marathoners, to the point that it has its own term — maranoia — to describe the anxiety that appears in race week.

When I get worried before a race, opening up my training journal and scrolling through past workouts is a great way to make it clear how much work I’ve done and reaffirm that I’m capable of hitting my targets.

You can track the running kit you use

This is particularly useful for me as I review the best running shoes and kit, so I take notes for those reviews in my running journal, but it’s also useful for runners in general.

You can log how much distance you’ve done in running shoes so you know when they might need replacing, and get a clear idea of the kit and sneakers that work for you.

When marathon training, you can also use your journal to log the nutrition you’ve tried during long runs, and get your fueling strategy nailed down ahead of race day.

You can make notes on anything — maybe a certain top or shorts start to chafe after 10 miles, or you get blisters from certain socks. It’s all useful info that can inform future runs.

You can log great running routes to come back

I usually run 60-80 miles a week, and that means I have thoroughly explored most of the areas near my house, but now and again, I spot a new path to try and discover a pleasant place to run.

You might think you’d remember that after a run naturally, but that is not the case in my experience — logging the run and why the area was good has been invaluable for me in ensuring I do recall new routes.

It’s especially useful for me when running in my local forest, because I can also keep a note of conditions. For example, some paths in my local forest become impassibly muddy in winter, so I track when things are drying out.

Why I like the Day One app

The Day One app is available on phones, laptops and even through your web browser and it’s free to use in one place, though you need a premium subscription to use the same journal across your phone and laptop.

I use the free version of the app on my phone, but have used premium in the past to make it quicker to log runs on my laptop.

The main thing I love about the app is that it automatically displays a route and stats for your run when you post a link to your Strava activity, so the journal shows all your runs as maps when you zoom out.

It’s also easy to search through your past runs in the app to bring up all your records of certain shoes, routes, or workout types.

You do, of course, get a lot of this info on Strava, but I then add my own thoughts on the run that I generally want to keep private. I think of Strava as something separate, a social network app rather than a running journal, and Day One is just for me.

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Mizuno has made some of the wildest carbon plate running shoes of the past few years, with the Wave Rebellion Pro line standing out for its heel cut-out and aggressively rockered design.

I’ve enjoyed using them, but they are demanding shoes and after testing the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 I was left wondering what a more traditional racing shoe from Mizuno would look and feel like.

Mizuno has answered the question by releasing three completely new super-shoes as part of its Hyperwarp line-up. Of these, the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is the lightest and most expensive model, sitting above the Hyperwarp Elite and Hyperwarp Pro.

The Pure is also the lowest in stack height, and targeted more at shorter events. It’s one of the most impressive racing shoes I’ve tested, and if you mostly race up to half marathon distance, it’s a shoe that should be on your radar.

Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure review: Price and availability

The Hyperwarp Pure launched late in 2025 and costs $300 in the U.S. and £260 in the U.K., making it one of the more expensive super-shoes available. The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is $275/£235, while the Hyperwarp Pro is $250/£220.

While it’s undoubtedly confusing to release three shoes with similar names, and you can argue whether "Pure" should outrank "Elite" and "Pro," the three shoes have distinct purposes.

The Pure is the lowest stack, lightest and built for short events or very fast marathoners. The Elite is the marathon racer for most people, while the Pro is a more forgiving super-trainer/racer that’s more stable.

Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure review: Design and fit

The Hyperwarp Pure is currently available in the white/lightning yellow design I tested, which features a delightful sparkle on the colorful midsole section.

I am generally between two sizes with running shoes, and went for the smaller of the two with the Hyperwarp Pure. It’s been a little tight for length, so I think the larger size would have been the better option. I’d stick to your normal size in general, but if you’re between two sizes, I’d go for the larger one.

The Hyperwarp Pure has a stack height of 34mm at the heel and 31mm at the forefoot for a 3mm drop. Given that most racing shoes hit the 40mm stack height limit set by World Athletics, this makes the Hyperwarp Pure a relatively low-stack option and it’s one reason why it’s one of the lightest shoes available, weighing just 5oz in a US men’s size 9.5.

Upper

The Hyperwarp Pure has a very thin and breathable monofilament woven upper. As you’d expect with such a lightweight racing shoe, the upper isn't primarily designed for comfort, but it did hold my foot securely during fast runs and I had no problems with hot spots or rubbing.

Midsole

The Hyperwarp Pure has a midsole entirely made from Mizuno’s Enerzy XP PEBA foam, which is a soft, springy material. Running through this foam is a full-length carbon plate, and there’s a forefoot rocker to push you onto your toes.

One big difference between the Hyperwarp Pure and Hyperwarp Elite shoes is that the Elite uses a mix of foams in its midsole, with just the top layer being the PEBA foam used in the Pure. This means the Pure feels a little softer and bouncier in my experience, despite having a lower stack than the Elite.

Outsole

Given it's such a lightweight shoe, the Hyperwarp Pure has surprisingly good outsole coverage, using Mizuno’s light, durable G3 rubber.

I’ve done a lot of fast runs on wet roads and tracks in the shoe, and the grip has been reliably good throughout, so this is a shoe you can trust for races in inclement conditions.

Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure review: Running performance

The Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure is not the first "lower-stack" super-shoes I’ve tested, but it is the first to really impress me.

In the past, when I’ve tried carbon shoes with lower stacks, I’ve been left wondering what the point was, because they haven’t been as light and springy as the best racers I’ve used with the standard 39-40mm stack height, which also offer more comfort.

With the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure, the point is obvious. It’s not only one of the lightest shoes you can get, but it really feels more nimble and aggressive than higher-stack racers, and does so without really sacrificing comfort in my experience.

I’ve done six hard workouts in the shoe, including track sessions with short reps, a tempo 10K and a 12-mile road workout that included a 16-minute 5K. The Hyperwarp Pure has impressed me every time.

The ride is very fluid and fast, moving you from your heel or midfoot onto your toes. Although it’s a low-drop shoe, I still felt the benefit of the rocker tipping me forward, and though the foam is not as deep as on other shoes, you feel the punch from the plate and bouncy PEBA material.

From my first steps in the shoe, I knew it would feel great for short reps like 400m or 60-second efforts, and it did, but what surprised me was how good the Hyperwarp Pure feels when holding fast paces for longer stints.

When doing tempo runs, long reps and the 5K hard, I ran on the road. The shoe had the cruisy, comfortably quick feel you expect from the best carbon shoes, but I haven’t come across from lower-stack racers in the past.

While it will excel primarily over 5K and 10K, I think the Hyperwarp Pure will be great for half marathons and even marathons too, if you prefer its more grounded, connected feel to cushier carbon options.

Should you buy the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pure?

The Hyperwarp Pure is one of the best racing shoes I’ve tested, and if you prefer shorter events, it’s one you should certainly consider, even at its very high price of $300. It’s extremely fast and fun to run in.

If you’re a marathoner, I’d still lean towards a higher-stack option like the Asics Metaspeed Sky Tokyo or Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, which are still very lightweight themselves, and have a bit more cushioning to help you through 26.2 miles.

There are also equally light shoes with higher stack heights, including the Asics Metaspeed Ray, which is a tremendous racer, though softer and less stable than the Hyperwarp Pure.

The Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite is also a good alternative for longer events, though I don’t rate it as highly as the Asics Metaspeed shoes or Puma Fast-R 3 myself, and I prefer the ride of the Hyperwarp Pure to the Elite in general, thanks to the full PEBA midsole.

That springy midsole and the lightweight design help the Hyperwarp Pure stand out even in a market full of incredible racing shoes, and Mizuno deserves credit for making such a thrilling shoe.