The men’s Olympic Marathon is always a spectacle of endurance, strategy, and athletic prowess, but in Paris, 2024, it was also a showcase of cutting-edge footwear technology. While the course itself, with its grueling hill climbs, tested the grit and stamina of the world's best marathoners, the shoes on their feet played a critical role in their performance. Adidas dominated the podium, but the diversity of brands represented in the top 10 spots highlighted the evolving landscape of marathon racing footwear.
Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia emerged as the champion, securing another win for Adidas's Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, a shoe that has quickly become a favorite among elite runners. Tola’s victory was not only a testament to his exceptional talent but also to the technological advancements embodied in his choice of footwear. The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, retailing at $500, is renowned for its featherlight design and innovative geometry, which provide unparalleled bounce and energy return. Despite its minimal support, the shoe performed admirably, even in the later stages of the race, according to Runner’s World wear-tester Trevor Conde.
Tola’s Olympic win adds to his impressive resume, which includes a victory at the 2023 New York City Marathon. His performance in Paris set a new Olympic Marathon record, reinforcing the reputation of Adidas’s flagship marathon shoe.
Bashir Abdi of Belgium secured the silver medal, bringing another brand into the spotlight—Asics. Abdi, who previously won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, opted for the Asics Metaspeed Edge Paris. This shoe, designed with a carbon-fiber plate that dips lower in the forefoot, is tailored for “cadence” runners—those who rely on quick leg turnover and a fast toe-off. The design of the Metaspeed Edge Paris caters specifically to this running style, providing Abdi with the performance edge he needed to claim his spot on the podium.
Benson Kipruto of Kenya rounded out the top three, also donning the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. Like Tola, Kipruto benefitted from the v2 iteration of the shoe, which features an upgraded outsole with Continental rubber for enhanced grip. Despite the shoe’s limited availability, its inclusion on the World Athletics’ approved list ensured it met all competition standards.
The top 10 finishers in the men’s marathon sported a variety of shoes, each designed to optimize performance in different ways. While Adidas and Asics took the top spots, other brands and models made a significant impact.
4th Place: Emile Cairess of Great Britain
Cairess, who earned a bronze medal at the 2024 London Marathon, also wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, making it the last pair of this model in the top 10. Cairess’s choice reflects the growing preference among elite marathoners for shoes that combine lightweight construction with advanced energy return properties.
Other Notable Mentions
The top 10 also saw appearances from Nike’s Vaporfly and Alphafly models, known for their groundbreaking use of carbon-fiber plates and ZoomX foam. These shoes have been a mainstay in marathon racing for years, contributing to numerous world records. Additionally, a few surprise entries featured lesser-known models that were more challenging to identify but still demonstrated the diverse landscape of high-performance marathon footwear.
The 2024 Olympic Marathon highlighted the significant role that footwear technology plays in modern distance running. The variety of brands and models in the top 10 illustrates that there is no one-size-fits-all solution—each athlete must find the shoe that best complements their unique running style and the demands of the race course.
Adidas’s dominance in Paris, particularly with the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, underscores the importance of continuous innovation in the competitive world of marathon racing. As brands continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with materials, design, and biomechanics, the future of marathon racing promises to be faster and more exciting than ever.
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