We ranked the fastest running shoes in the world right now


Hi runners, 👋🏼

Katelyn here with newsletter #699!

Happy New Year! 🎉

Wishing you a year full of strong miles, healthy training, and the kind of running goals that make you excited to get out there.

Today I’ve got a little something for every runner—gear nerds, habit-builders, night owls, walk-runners, and those who wish to now dabble in longer distances:

  • New podcast: Super shoe power rankings, winter 2026: In our latest episode, Alex and Michael break down the current super shoe landscape, what’s actually worth racing in right now, and what’s just hype.
  • Running in the morning: How to make it your new habit: Want morning miles to stick in 2026? Here’s how to build a routine that works, even if you’re a night owl.
  • The building blocks to train for your first marathon: A coach-approved roadmap for your first 26.2—how to pick the right plan, train consistently, and arrive at race day ready.
  • The run/walk method: Run longer, feel better: Learn how to set intervals, avoid burnout, and use walk breaks strategically to build endurance and finish stronger.
  • Watch: How to run a sub-4-hour marathon: I break down the training, pacing, fueling, and mindset you need to crack the four-hour barrier in 2026.
  • If you missed it: Our top stories in the running world 2026: The stories that captured attention this year weren’t always the fastest or the most elite. They were the ones that exposed how messy, human, and unexpectedly compelling running can be.

Happy running! 🏃🏻‍♀️⭐

Katelyn Tocci
Managing Editor
Head Coach

Run Your Run

+ 25% off right now

The Wahoo KICKR RUN is redefining what a treadmill can be—built to bring the freedom, flow, and feel of outdoor running into your home.

With Dynamic Pacing, you set the pace, not the machine. No buttons, no breaks in form—just a natural run that adjusts instantly to your stride.

Terrain Simulation goes beyond incline: the responsive deck mimics the feel of hardpack trails, while lateral tilt challenges stabilizing muscles, preparing you for the real world.

And with Unmatched Connectivity, KICKR RUN links seamlessly to the Wahoo ecosystem and other training apps like Zwift and Strava, so you can train virtually anywhere, from famous racecourses to your favorite local loops.

KICKR RUN isn’t just a treadmill—it’s a training partner built to keep up with your goals.

And for this month only, Wahoo are offering 25% off the retail price of the treadmill.

And, Wahoo have prepared an exclusive offer for Marathon Handbook readers: get a free smart fan Headwind, value $319, when purchasing a KICKR RUN from wahoofitness.com, using code MHRUN at checkout:

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

The Best Super Shoes in the World Right Now: Our Winter 2026 Power Rankings

Carbon-plated super shoes now dominate marathon racing — but which ones are actually worth your money?

Today on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr reveal their definitive 2026 super shoe power rankings, using elite podium data, real-world marathon stats from Chicago and NYC, and hands-on testing. From Nike and Adidas to ASICS and Puma, this is the clearest picture yet of where racing shoes are headed — and which ones truly rule the roads.

Or listen and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts:

Our Training Plans

As a newsletter reader, you've got complete access to our massive library of plans.

There's nothing quite like this database on the internet - and they're completely free - all available as PDFs and downloadable Google Sheets:

(If you're met with a 'subscribers only' prompt, then you may need to sign up for Grow - the platform that we use to control access to our plans. It's free and means you've got lifetime access to all the above plans.)

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

Running In The Morning: How To Make It Your New Habit

New year, new habits, and if you’ve been flirting with the idea of becoming a morning runner, this is your sign. Morning miles can be the most reliable (and honestly, the most satisfying) way to build consistency before life gets busy.

I’ll break down the benefits of running early and the simple, practical strategies that make morning runs stick.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

The Run Walk Method: Run Longer, Feel Better

New Year’s Day is the perfect time to nudge a friend or family member into running—but jumping straight into “run the whole thing” can feel overwhelming fast.

The run/walk method makes it simple: planned intervals that build endurance without burning you out.

If you want a smarter, more sustainable way to start running, or step up to a new distance, this strategy might be exactly what you need.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

Our Top Stories From The Running World In 2025

Running didn’t just break records this year; it broke expectations.

Some of the most talked-about moments had nothing to do with podiums and everything to do with how people showed up, bent rules, and reshaped what the sport looks like day to day.

big adidas discounts at Running Warehouse
*for now

Hey, quickly - Running Warehouse have some crazy end-of-year discounts on some of the top adidas models, including $100 off the adios Pro Evo 1, and the Evo SL for under $120 (!) in a range of slick colorways. Check them out at the link below

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

How To Train For A Marathon: The Building Blocks For First-Timers

If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a marathon in the new year, you’re not alone, but the distance can feel huge when you’re staring down 26.2 for the first time.

The good news: you don’t need “perfect” workouts, you need the right building blocks: an actual plan, consistent running, smart long runs, and recovery that keeps you healthy.

This guide breaks it all down in a first-timer-friendly way, so you know exactly what to focus on to get from “can I really do this?” to the start line confident and ready.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

How To Run A Sub-4-Hour Marathon: Training Plan + Race Strategy

Want to run a sub-4-hour marathon? You’re in the right place!

In this video, our expert coach Katelyn walks you through everything you need to know to break that 4-hour barrier — from training cycles and workouts to pacing strategies, fueling tips, and how to tell if this plan is right for you.

So if you're ready to chase a new PR, this is your complete step-by-step guide to training smart, running strong, and reaching that sub-4-hour finish.

Feedback? Hit reply and start a conversation with our team.

:: Advertise on this newsletter ::

Broadsea Media Ltd, Main Street, Fraserburgh, UK
Only send me max 3 emails per week · Unsubscribe totally · Preferences

Marathon Handbook

Join over 160,000 runners: expert running tips, the latest news, shoe and gear reviews - and the occasional running meme.

Read more from Marathon Handbook

Here’s your free but abridged version of this week’s “Run Long, Run Healthy” newsletter. Subscribe here to receive the full edition with more on the latest scientific articles and research on training, nutrition, shoes, injury prevention, and motivation. Get more from the latest in running sports science: Run Long, Run Healthy Premium for as little as $3/month When Hard Training Backfires: Can You Push Intensity Too Far For Your Brain? We all know running is “good for your brain”… but this...

Keep, Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast Hi runners, Jessy here with newsletter #698! 🎉 Happy Wednesday!Here's what I have for you today: Records fell, rivalries sharpened, and some runs just blew our minds. These are the best running performances of the year. Lost your running mojo? You’re not alone. From burnout to boredom, this guide breaks down why motivation fades, and how to rebuild it in a way that actually sticks. If you’re chasing a PR, the...

Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast Hi runners, 👋🏼 Katelyn here with newsletter #697! A new year often brings new resolutions, fresh goals, and a renewed interest in fitness and challenges. Whether you’re setting ambitious performance targets, refining your daily habits, or sharing the running bug with someone just getting started, today's newsletter covers a wide range of ways to reset, refocus, and move forward—plus a look at one of the biggest...