15 replies to this topic

[macca]

I am looking for a suitable racing flat to wear for marathons. At the moment I am using the Asic Gel DS Racer ( orange in colour ). I find that they just do not give enough support and I pull up very sore.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Macca

[HazBean]

DS Trainer would be a pretty good choice. Light but not too light and should be similar in feel to the Racer. I used the DS Trainer for my one and only Marathon and they worked well, for me at least. Must do another one some day!!

[DuncanTheIncredibleDivingHorse]

Not that I have much road marathon experience, but I agree with Hazbean. I've got a pair of DS trainers (and a pair of DS racers for that matter) and was always very happy with them, although they're worn out now. However, they are the old model (with the orange and silver sparkly bits) so I can't speak for the current model. Worth checking out anyway.

[yeti]

Racing flats for a Marathon? Very difficult to make a suggestion without knowing a few more details about the runner who will wear them, i.e. weight, shape of feet (narrow/wide ...), intended race pace and so on. A few of the flats I have used in marathons over the years would be DS Racer, Diadora 230, Adidas Shimato and Adidas Taper. Of those the Shimato is not made anymore and the Diadora may be difficult to get in Australia. The Taper felt really good - on my feet !
Anyway, most racing flats should be suitable for a marathon, depending on which ones fit the runner best and so on. The only ones I would advise against are those ultra light ones, i.e. Adidas Converter and its ilk.

Disclaimer: I'm not a podiatrist, so take the any advice with a grain of salt.

Yeti

[Pat Webb]

Macca,
I would recommend the Brooks Burn. I have been running in these for 6 months + and found them very supportive. I have run 5-10k road & XC in them and would recommend them for the marathon.
cheers

[HazBean]

New DS Trainer seems to be a little firmer than the previous models so may not be a comfortable as it's predecessors. Not a judgement on it but I changed to the Kayano for training as I wanted to try to push up the mileage. May get a pair of the DS Trainers for the shorter training but then I need a new pair of flats too. Oh decisions. :rolleyes:

[ralph]

I race in a pair of ASICS DS Trainers (blue & silver) and couldn't be happier. I train in other ASICS hoping to prevent injury. I ran them by my physio before running the 2003 Melb Marathon for a bit of expert advise. He felt they have excellent support for a light weight shoe.
They have been great for me and as a point of reference, I'm 73kgs and ran 2.57.

Good luck with your choice.

[Fish]

Macca,

I also run marathons in the DS trainers and have a pair of the old and new models. I weight in at just under 95kgs and have had no problems with either pair.

Fish

[Pabags]

Macca

Have recently swapped to DS trainers and have had no problems with them. havent ran a marathon in them however.
There is a new model just been released but not sure if its the same shoe with different colours or they have made changes to the shoe.

Ian C :)

[silver fox]

Not sure if anyone else has had the same problem but I find the DS Trainers take a while to 'run in', the last ones I bought took probably 150-200kms before they started to feel right. Could be just me but normally I dont have any problems with new shoes. I am mid 70s in kgs and 178cm.

I have run a couple of marathons in them with no dramas.

[downunder runner]

I am also deciding on a pair of shoes for a 32km race and marathon. Are Asics DS Trainer and Asics DS racer different shoes??

What about Asics Gel Kayano? Is this a good choice? I am 173cms and 58kgs...

[casper]

i found the gel kayano to be a rather heavy shoe so could not imagine racing in it although the latest model is lighter (verrry exxy).

[Kelvin]

There is apparently a 45 gram difference between trainer and racer:
This is from the website:
Gel D.S. Racer V - Racing

A lightweight yet supportive racing flat with minimum overlays engineered for distances from 5K to marathon.

Weight : 250 grams
Mens Gel D.S.Trainer IX - Structured Cushioning
The GEL DS Trainer is a pinnacle, lightweight-training and racing shoe that extends the shock attenuation and stability principles of I.G.S. to enhance forefoot function. The DS Trainer IX is now slip lasted, which is conductive to it's I.G.S. design concept. Now with BIOMORPHIC FIT.

Weight : 295 gr (size 9)

I've worn ds racers for a dozen or so years for my road marathons and have found that sometimes the latest model hasn't been as good to me as it's predecessor. This time all i can say is that i appear to get a lump under the front of my foot (as though there is a stone in the gel ???), which really i only feel after 30 odd K's (and have solved by wearing a thick insole on that foot - of course losing that weight adavntage !!).
The Gel Magic racer is even lighter (215 Grams), but for mine wears way too fast and would recommend only for half marathons (last used at Moe 6 Hour as the track is cushioned so couldn't be bothered about the lack of cushioning).
Asuming that lump problem isn't a standard one (sure someone else has mentioned it to me though), i'd definitely recommend them.
I'm 182 CM & 65 KG's if that helps
Kelvin ;)

[miles]

Hey Sparkie,

The new ds trainers have quite a thin forefoot, so depending on where you strike they might not be the best option.

Some other good options include the Brooks Burn, the Adidas supernova comp, and the Adidas Rotterdam.

The Brooks burn is a lightweight trainer, much lighter than the ds trainer. It has a very thick modfoot and forefoot and although it is a neutral shoe, it is set on a lateral cambre to minimise overpronation.

The supernova comp. is similar to the taper, it's predescessor. Again it is lighter than the ds trainer and has a cushioned forefoot and pronation block.

the Rotterdam (named after the marathon) is a neutral, lightweight shoe designed for the marathon. It has a very thick and cushioned midfoot and forefoot. It is a neutral shoe.

The best thing you can do is go to a shop that has a large range of light trainers/heavy racers and try them all on. Hope this helps.

cheers, Miles

[miles]

I forgot the Brooks racer ST. It's a lightweight and supportive flat, as light as the DS racer but more supportive and cushioned, designed for races up to the marathon. It has a diagonal rollbar, similar to the asics duomax.