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For marathon runners, life’s most important relationship in the months building up to the big day is not with family or friends, it’s with your running shoes. Some might think that’s an overstatement, but honestly, you’ll be spending at least as much time in their company.
Your sidekicks need to offer enough support to plod through training mile after training mile and also inspire confidence that they won’t hold you back on race day. For most runners, the Adidas Supernovas will tick all these boxes, while also avoiding the garish colours of many running shoes, so you can even wear them out and about at walking pace.
Adidas’ Boost sole technology is a firm favourite among runners and for good reason – it returns boatloads of energy. Paired with the ample cushioning in this model makes for a very comfortable ride. I felt positively springy when running in the Supernovas, mile after mile, making it a perfect option for long training runs.
You’re not going to be flying around the roads at your top 5km speed, but as the miles rack up, you’ll feel the benefits. Whether it’s five or 20 miles you cover, the Supernovas keep you in good shape and make it easier to maintain your target pace.
This isn’t only due to the Boost sole, extra support comes from the FITCOUNTER moulded heel counter which fits snugly around the heel and promises to keep it in the best possible position while running. It felt a bit rigid when I first put on the shoes, but it was comfortable when running.
The grip provided by the Continental Rubber outsole is also notable. When the temperature really drops and pavements get icy plenty of grip is a must to stop runs becoming frustrating, slippery affairs. I was testing the Supernova alongside a couple of other running shoes and they stood out as the most capable when dealing with icy pavements.
The Supernovas are an excellent bet for all but the fastest marathon runners, who might appreciate a little less support in favour of speed. They will carry you through the long months of marathon training in comfort and help you to perform at your best on race day itself.
Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.