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Running is booming, and this enthusiasm extends all the way to the sport’s pinnacle: marathons. Last year, more people ran the 26.2 miles than ever before. The 2025 London, Paris, and New York City marathons all saw a record number of finishers, and this year’s stats are pointing towards even more growth — with the 2026 London Marathon witnessing an all-time high of 59,830 finishers and New York’s race in November having a good shot at breaking that.

First-timer? We’ll let you in on a little secret: You’ll want purpose-built shoes when you lace up on race day. The best marathon shoes on the market feature every brand’s cutting-edge technology, which usually includes specs like a carbon plate for propulsion and advanced cushioning that holds up across all those miles.

These innovations have advanced by leaps and bounds (pun intended) over the last few years, right alongside running’s skyrocketing popularity, so it’s no wonder the new carbon plate–equipped shoes are being referred to as “super shoes” for their ability to slash time off everyone’s records.

The daily runners you’ve been using to train will work fine for a marathon, but dedicated race shoes will help you conquer the distance faster and more effortlessly.

If you have a race on the books, read on. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the top marathon running shoes to buy right now from brands like Brooks, Nike, and Adidas.

(Your body and your PR will thank you.)

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Oscar Hartzog is a Managing Commerce Editor at Penske Media Corporation, overseeing lifestyle and commerce content across WWD, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, and Billboard. After a decade in the space, Hartzog has reviewed thousands of products spanning categories like fashion, fitness, spirits, and travel. He is passionate about helping people spend their hard-earned dollars on purchases that live up to their hype, whether it’s a T-shirt, a bottle of whiskey, or a gift for a loved one. Hartzog graduated from The American University of Paris with a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature and philosophy.