The city of Orlando witnessed some amazing performances under a blistering sun, with tickets to Paris at stake. When the dust settled after three loops, six brands placed among the top 10 men’s and women’s finishers. There was a time Nike ruled the roads, but Asics topped them in this year’s Olympic Trials Marathon, with two men and four women making my list below.
Here’s a look at what the top 10 finishers in both races wore in their quests for a spot on the Olympic team.
MEN’S TOP 10
1st — Conner Mantz, 2:09:05
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% (v1)
Despite two updates to the Alphafly, Mantz (right in the image above) continues to wear the very first version. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
2nd — Clayton Young, 2:09:06
Asics Metaspeed Sky 3 prototype
Young (left, above) looks to be wearing the newest, unreleased Metaspeed Sky. Asics has three “development” shoes (prototype) approved by World Athletics for use in competition, currently. This colorway looks a lot like the existing Metaspeed Sky+ and Edge+, but when we zoom in closer we don’t see any labels, and the sidewall of the midsole looks different than the shoe you can buy now.
3rd — Leonard Korir, 2:09:57
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3
Korir laced up the latest Alphafly and might just have run himself onto the squad headed for Paris. We reviewed the Alphafly 3 recently.
4th — Elkanah Kibet, 2:10:02
Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype
Kibet is wearing a prototype, like Young. His, however, appears to be the Metaspeed Edge. You can see the ridge on the sidewall of the forefoot swoops down low toward the sole of the shoe. The Edge’s plate curves lower, allowing for more foam between your foot and the plate than in the Sky.
5th — CJ Albertson, 2:10:07
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype
It looks like CJ is wearing Brooks’s top racing shoe, which was just announced. But, the company also has a “Hyperion Elite 4 RD.010” prototype shoe that was approved by World Athletics for use in competition just two weeks ago. It’s likely he wore that version (we don’t have details yet) but the outsole of CJ’s race shoe has gray rubber, whereas the newly announced version has a web of black and orange rubber.
The outsole on Des Linden’s Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 appears the same as CJ Albertson’s.
6th — Zach Panning, 2:10:50
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype
Panning seems to be wearing the same prototype of the Hyperion Elite 4 that CJ wore.
7th — Nathan Martin, 2:11:00
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3
8th — Josh Izewski, 2:11:09
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly 3
9th — Reed Fischer, 2:11:34
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
Fischer rolled to a top-10 finish with an all-white version of the Adios Pro 3. Adidas does not have any prototypes on the list of approved shoes as of race day.
10th — Colin Bennie, 2:12:17
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 prototype
Bennie seems to be wearing the same prototype as Albertson and Panning.
WOMEN’S TOP 10
1st — Fiona O’Keeffe, 2:22:10
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
Not a bad first effort for O’Keeffe and Puma. Fiona won her first marathon in record fashion. And Puma claimed victory with the Deviate Elite 3 on the first day it was approved for use in competition. The World Athletics approved shoe list shows the 3 green lighted for use as a “development” as of Feb. 3, 2024.
2nd — Emily Sisson, 2:22:42
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer
New Balance has a new super shoe, the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, out. But Sisson laced up the thinner, lighter Pacer. It’s a shoe most of us recreational runners might only grab for a 5K or 10K (maybe). Seems like it’s working just fine for the American record holder.
3rd — Dakotah Lindwurm, 2:25:31
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
Lindwurm also wore the new Puma racer. Hey, Puma, need me to re-send my address?
4th — Jessica McClain, 2:25:46
Nike Vaporfly 3
This marks an insane shift in racing footwear. On the men’s side, four of the top 10 runners laced up Nike. Only McClain, the team’s first alternate, cracked the top 10 women’s runners wearing the swoosh. Folks, we’re living in the golden age of running shoes. Pick the pair that fits and feels best—and rip it.
5th — Sara Hall, 2:26:06
Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype
Like Kibet, it appears Hall wore the Metaspeed Edge prototype.
6th — Caroline Rotich, 2:26:10
Asics Metaspeed Edge+
Unlike Hall, Kibet, and Young, Rotich’s shoe seems to be the current Metaspeed Edge+ that you can buy right now.
7th — Makenna Myler, 2:26:14
Asics Metaspeed Sky 3 prototype
Myler is likely wearing the Sky 3 prototype—again, check out that ridge in the forefoot; it’s closer to the foot. One heck of a day for Asics, if I do say so.
8th — Lindsay Flanagan, 2:26:25
Asics Metaspeed Edge 3 prototype
N + 1.
9th — Emily Durgin, 2:27:56
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
Durgin held onto a top-10 finish wearing Adidas’s most popular marathon racer.
10th — Annie Frisbie, 2:27:56
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
Asics packed four runners in the top 10, but Frisbie finished strong to give Puma a triumphant trio, all wearing the new Deviate Elite 3.
Jeff Dengate
Runner-in-Chief
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Based on this article, it seems to be discussing the top 10 finishers in the men's and women's races at the Olympic Trials Marathon in Orlando. The article highlights the shoes worn by each of the top finishers and provides some details about the specific models and prototypes used.
Expertise and Background Information
As an expert in sports and athletic footwear, I can provide you with information about the different shoe models mentioned in the article and their significance in the world of marathon running. I have extensive knowledge of various brands, technologies, and trends in the running shoe industry.
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next%
The Nike Air Zoom Alphafly Next% is a highly advanced running shoe that has gained popularity among elite marathon runners. It features a carbon fiber plate and ZoomX foam cushioning, which provide excellent energy return and support for long-distance running The shoe has undergone updates since its initial release, but some athletes, like Conner Mantz, still prefer the original version.
Asics Metaspeed Sky and Edge
The Asics Metaspeed Sky and Edge are prototypes approved by World Athletics for use in competition. These shoes incorporate innovative technologies to enhance performance. The Metaspeed Sky is designed for runners who prefer a softer, more cushioned ride, while the Metaspeed Edge offers a firmer, more responsive feel. Clayton Young and Elkanah Kibet were seen wearing these prototypes in the race .
Brooks Hyperion Elite 4
The Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 is a racing shoe that was recently announced by Brooks. It features a lightweight design and responsive cushioning for optimal speed and performance. CJ Albertson and Zach Panning were both wearing a prototype version of this shoe in the race.
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a popular marathon racing shoe known for its lightweight construction and energy-efficient design. Reed Fischer achieved a top-10 finish wearing an all-white version of this shoe.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is a new racing shoe that made its debut at the Olympic Trials Marathon. Fiona O'Keeffe, Dakotah Lindwurm, and Annie Frisbie all wore this shoe and achieved impressive results.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer
Emily Sisson opted for the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer, a lightweight racing shoe designed for speed and efficiency. This shoe offers a thinner and lighter design compared to other models.
Nike Vaporfly 3
The Nike Vaporfly 3 is another highly regarded marathon racing shoe. Jessica McClain was the only top-10 women's finisher wearing Nike, highlighting the dominance of other brands in the race.
Conclusion
The Olympic Trials Marathon in Orlando showcased the top athletes in the sport, and their choice of footwear played a significant role in their performance. From Nike's Alphafly series to Asics' prototypes and other brand offerings, each shoe model has its unique features and benefits. The marathon running shoe market is constantly evolving, with brands pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation to help athletes achieve their best performances.
