We’ve tested hundreds of running shoes. How to choose the right pair for you

If you’ve been running for a while, you might be thinking about signing up for a marathon or shorter-distance event. Or, maybe you’re newer to the sport but want to sign up for a race to keep you motivated.

Mounsey says there is no singular answer to what the ‘best’ shoe is for an event, explaining that “runners train and race in different types of shoes, prioritising comfort and cushioning for daily mileage and then switching to a race day shoe for propulsion and speed.”

Newkey-Burden awarded the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 his best pair overall, and said these are the ones he’ll be wearing to run the London Marathon this year. He says these feel “cushioned and smooth” on my longer runs. “For shorter park runs the acceleration was equally evident. New Balance describes the SuperComp Elite v5 as a shoe for ‘podium ambition’. For me, these near‑flawless trainers deserve a gold medal of their own.”

Another pair he shouted out for marathon training is the Ena Athletics Proto Runner 1, “Whatever the heritage, the shoe is best described as comfortable and stable, making it suitable for longer training runs, especially for those preparing for marathons.”

If speed’s what you’re after, he recommends the Sudu SRM: “Overall, the Sudu debut is light, springy and secure, a shoe that feels designed for runners chasing a faster time. For anyone targeting a new Parkrun personal best, it could be a solid option.”