The second wave of major marathons this year will take place in Berlin at the end of September (27 September), followed by the Chicago marathon on 11 October and the New York marathon on 2 November. These events attract elite athletes and thousands of amateur runners from around the world, competing in one of the most iconic long-distance races. Several marathon winners have shared the footwear they used to achieve their victories. The Adidas Adizero Adios range has been a popular choice among elite runners. For example, Sebastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha both completed the 2026 London marathon in under two hours wearing the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Sawe also used the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2 to win the Berlin 2025 marathon, as did Benson Kipruto for his victory in the 2025 New York marathon. Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who finished second in Berlin 2025, wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4, as did women's champion Rosemary Wanjiru. In the Chicago 2025 marathon, Hawi Feysa won the women's race wearing the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1. Nike's Alphafly 3 was the winning shoe for Jacob Kiplimo in the 2025 Chicago marathon and is also the preferred footwear for Eliud Kipchoge, the world record-holder in the marathon. Other brands are also making an impact. John Korir won two Boston marathons in a row wearing prototype versions of the Asics MetaSpeed Sky, while Sharon Lokedi used the Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 to defend her title at the Boston 2026 marathon. Hellen Obiri won the women's race at the 2025 New York marathon in the On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike, a shoe known for its unique laceless, 'spray-on' design. For those considering these high-performance models for their next long-distance race, it's important to note that switching footwear close to an event should be avoided if already in training. These shoes are primarily aimed at experienced long-distance runners who have built up their training and familiarity with specific gear. For those not yet at that stage, other recommendations are available for beginners and intermediates, ensuring a safer and more effective transition into marathon running.