I road tested seven pairs of running trainers – these are the best I found for beginners wanting to train for a marathon

The Sun

05-05-2025

WITH the London Marathon kicking off running season last weekend, Brits are turning to Stava in their thousands.
More than 840k people applied to run the London Marathon - smashing all previous records - with new research saying 25 per cent of us now run at least once a week.
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And whether you're doing couch to 5k or going for an ultra, it's no secret when it comes to running, the most important piece of kit you need is good shoes.
When I started training for my first half marathon six months ago, I found the idea of investing over £100 in a pair of running trainers pretty daunting.
There seemed to be so many things to consider - and no shortage of choice when it came to what to buy.
While I'd previously only ever bought shoes based on aesthetics, I knew in order to run 21k I needed to be focusing on comfort over anything else.
So on behalf of all beginner runners, I've road tested seven of the new models to see which are worth the money.
BROOKS
Brooks are a brand I've seen lots of people wearing over the past few months - and while they come in at the higher end when it comes to pricing, I could feel a real difference in bounciness when I hit the pavements.
I road tested the Glycerin GTS 22 which cost £165 to start.
These trainers are built for road running which makes them a great choice when it comes to city marathons.
Buy now - Glycerin GTS 22
The sole is cushioned with tuned nitrogen in the midsole which makes impact less sharp. I really noticed the difference on my knees with long-distance in these trainers, with the usual 12 km pain coming in a later and less aggressively.
I found the sizing of these slightly on the small size and had to go up by half a size as they did start to nip on the toes by the end.
I also loved the look of them and had no end on compliments when I turned up at run club in them.
RATING: 4.5/5
Next up I tried the Gylcerin Max - an even more elite model from Brooks.
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BUY NOW - Gylcerin Max
These shoes cost £180 and are ultra futuristic looking with an overly thick sole and elevated toe and heel.
While theses shoes were super bouncy and light to run in, I found them too stiff around the ankle which made long distances tricky.
RATING: 4/5
SALOMON
While their shoes have become somewhat of a fashion statement of late, Salomon remain one of the best running shoe makers on the market.
Their Genesis running shoes are designed to run on literally any surface. I wore these both on a trail run and on the road - 10km test run for each - and found them to be super comfy on both.
The trainers are durable with a high-grip outsole meaning you never feel like your slipping and they are cushioned enough to run over rocky surfaces too.
I'd also recommend on sizing up on these as they nipped a bit at the base of the laces after a few miles.
RATING 4.5/5
MERRELL
I found the Merrell Agility Peak trainers a great alternative to the Salomon Genesis - at exactly the same price.
Slightly less bulky, these shoes feel super lightweight but have serious grip for running on slippery surfaces.
What I love about this option is you can add GORE-TEX finishing to them to make them totally waterproof.
They also feel roomier than any of the other models, allowing for thicker socks in cooler temperatures.
The design is also one of my favourites - and I've worn them socially several times too.
Tips to prevent running injuries
Anya Culling is one of the UK's fastest female marathon runners. Here, the LuLu Lemon athlete gives her top tips for avoiding injury while training...
Build a strong base before diving into a training block.
If you've got 16 weeks before a race, I recommend using the first 4 weeks to build solid foundations. This phase is all about prepping your body for the workload to come. Personally, I do most of my strength and conditioning work before I start focused race training. I hit the gym with lots of compound lifts (think squats, deadlifts, lunges) and work on fixing any imbalances or weaknesses. That way, once I transition into a higher running load, my body is ready to handle it - and I can ease off the gym work when my running increases which means less gym DOMS during peak running weeks!
2. Embrace easy runs - and make sure they're actually easy.
Easy runs are your secret weapon for staying injury-free. They should feel comfortable, conversational, and leave you feeling better than when you started. Keep your heart rate low, don't chase pace, and let these runs help your muscles recover and adapt. An easy run shouldn't increase your fatigue.
3. Progress your running slowly - in both mileage and intensity.
This is where a lot of people trip up. The body needs time to adapt to new stress, so avoid the temptation to make big jumps in mileage or start smashing interval workouts too soon. A good rule of thumb is the 10% rule - don't increase your weekly mileage by more than 10% week to week. e.g. if you can comfortably run 10km per week, next week run no more than 12km. And only once you are comfortable with the mileage would I advise increasing intensity like speed sessions.
4. Don't skip your rest days - they're where the real magic happens.
Training stresses your body, but it's during rest that you actually absorb the gains and adapt. Skipping rest days or filling them with 'junk miles' can lead to fatigue building up, eventually tipping into injury as your body can't recover. Prioritise sleep, stay well-hydrated, and use rest days to really listen to your body. A day off when you're feeling run down is an investment in your next few weeks of training.
5. Focus on your running form - small tweaks can make a big difference.
Good form helps you move more efficiently, reduces unnecessary strain on joints, and can be the difference between feeling smooth or struggling through runs. You don't need to overhaul everything, but being aware of posture, cadence, and stride length goes a long way. I like to remind myself to stand just 1cm taller which automatically makes me feel lighter on my feet, keep my arms relaxed, and focus on a quick cadence (around 170–180 steps per minute is a good benchmark for most) - this helps avoid over striding so you land below the weight of your body on the balls of your feet.
6. Consistency is king (Queen)
This might be the biggest one. The best training isn't about having a handful of amazing workouts - it's about stacking solid sessions week after week. I always say aim for consistent B+workouts rather rather than occasional A* efforts that leave you wrecked. Training smart means leaving a bit in the tank, so you can recover and show up again tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that.
SAUCONY X SWEATY BETTY
If there's one thing Sweaty Betty nail with their sportswear, it's style and comfort.
And their new trainer in collaboration with Saucony is no different.
I love both the design and fit of their new trainer collaboration, which comes in a white and pink design or a baby blue.
And at £130 it's one of the lower price points for an elite shoe model.
The trainers have a high heel collar foam to support the foot as well as breathable mesh which keeps things airy on long runs.
They are much lighters than some of the beefier models but with plenty of bounce - they were also probably the comfiest, alongside Hoka.
HOKA
I was seriously impressed with the Bondi 9 from Hoka, which come in at £160.
These trainers are designed for road running and have a thick and bouncy midsole which makes it feel like you're running on marshmallows.
I also loved the added cushioning around the ankle which gave much needed extra support on longer runs.
The sturdy build and design makes me think these shoes would last a long time, and I'm keen to see how they feel in a few months after a few hundred more miles in them.
RATING 5/5
STARBUY: ASICS Novablast 4
Coming in as the cheapest model at just £94 - reduced from £135 - the Asics Novablast 4 are my star buy.
These shoes are super lightweight, keeping that heavy legs feeling at bay for much longer.
I've run over 500km in mine this year alone and they still feel like they have several hundred left in them.
While the colour schemes are quite bold, I cannot fault these running shoes on comfort.