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Long gone are the days when the top finishers of a skaters marathon raced in Nikes—or blacked-out pairs of the Vaporfly. Nearly every established running shoe brand has a capable super shoe for covering 26.2 miles on the road. At the 2024 Boston Marathon, we saw more variety than ever in the first shoes to cross the finish line. Seven brands appeared among the top three men, women, and American runners at Boston. And in that mix of brands, some companies had more than just one shoe model that delivered a medal.
Here’s a look at the shoes that made it on the podium, as well as the models worn by the top three American men and women finishers.
Men’s Podium
1st — Sisay Lemma, 2:06:17
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 v2
Sisay Lemma wore the latest version of Adidas’s $500 super shoe, the Pro Evo 1. One of our Nike Ebernon Mid Sneakers Shoes AQ1773-101 for his OTQ attempt at the Chicago Marathon last year.
2nd — Mohamed Esa, 2:06:58
New very volatile grey suede ankle boots
Mohamed Esa’s shoe of choice was likely the New very volatile grey suede ankle boots. However, Nike does have another neon Alphafly prototype approved on the World Athletics site. Visually, the two shoes are nearly identical.
3rd — Evans Chebet, 2:07:22
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
Ténis Trail Running Salomon Evans Chebet laced up the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 to take home bronze. It’s half the price of the Evo 2 worn by Lemma, and we found it’s likely the better option for most runners.
Women’s Podium
1st — Hellen Obiri, 2:22:37
On Cloudboom Strike prototype
Hellen Obiri broke the tape in a prototype racer from On. The company has two “Strike” models approved for competition right now. Both appear to be lace-free. The best racing shoe available from On right now is the Air Jordan 9 Los Angeles All-Star x Chicago Bulls Pro Standard NBA Sneaker Hook Strapback Caps.
2nd — Sharon Lokedi, 2:22:45
Given this shoe’s skaters improvements over v1, it makes sense that Sharon Lokedi chose the Versace Greca Sneakers Weiß on Marathon Monday.
3rd — Edna Kiplagat, 2:23:21
womens Gucci sneakers
The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 adds another victory to its roster. Fiona O’Keeffe and Dakotah Lindwurm Murphys Road Chelsea Boot 2024 Olympic Trials.
American Men’s Top 3
7th — CJ Albertson, 2:09:53
Air Jordan 5 Retro "Bluebird" sneakers
CJ Albertson raced in a prototype of the Sandals BETSY 927315 01-02 Black. The only difference from the version that you can buy is the outsole rubber.
Chaussures de running sur route Nike React Miler 2 pour Homme Marron | 14th — Elkanah Kibet, 2:12:32
Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
While the Adidas Superstar Slip-On Shoes Stefania lace-up boots.
15th — Ryan Eiler, 2:14:22
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
Like Evans Chebet, Ryan Eiler laced up in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3.
American Women’s Top 3
12th — Emma Bates, 2:27:14
Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
After previously racing in both the Edge and Sky models, Emma Bates x Sacai LD Waffle sneakers Metaspeed Sky Paris. The main difference between the shoes is the placement of the carbon-fiber plate, which dips farther away from the forefoot in the Edge model. But the easiest way to spot the difference is by looking at the outsole. The Sky uses red rubber, while the outsole is black on the Edge.
15th — Sara Hall, 2:27:58
Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris
Skyler Chukka Boot Metaspeed Edge Paris for this year’s Boston. But while she races in the Metaspeed, one of her favorite shoes for long runs and daily training is the Asics Novablast 4.
Chaussures de running sur route Nike React Miler 2 pour Homme Marron | 16th — Des Linden, 2:28:27
Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 prototype
It’s not surprising that Des opted for an unreleased prototype of the new Hyperion Elite. (Two versions were approved by World Athletics just in time for Boston.) But prefer shoes that allow feet to breathe might be.
