Running a marathon requires months of dedicated, hard training. There are many physical and psychological battles that marathon runners have to overcome before they even come close to completing those 26.2 miles, not to mention an array of injuries that marathon runners are particularly prone to.

Runners can be prone to everything from shin splints, a pulled hamstring, a pulled knee cap to ankle sprain. The feet especially, can be severely affected by prolonged bouts of running, and marathon runners can suffer from athletes foot, Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain), Overpronation (caused by excess foot motion) and Arch Pain (characterised by a burning sensation).

The key to minimising occurrence of these injuries is to choose the correct footwear. Knowing how to choose a marathon running shoe, can help you make an informed decision and also may aid you in the battle to escape injury.

There are some common tips you can implement when choosing marathon running shoes. For example, having feet professionally measured by a shoe sales person. Explain you are purchasing your shoes for long distances and ask for tips relating to foot arch and pronation. Also, remember that feet expand during the day and after walking or running for a long time.

Specialist shops will know how to measure you for marathon running shoes, usually based on biomechanics (basically how your foot moves, and the support it requires), your weight, step, and intended running surface.

Choosing shoes based on whether you ‘land’ on your heel or forefoot, for instance, can change the whole support system available in a marathon running shoe. You also need to look for marathon running shoes that offer cushioning, equal stability and cushioning or focus on motion control.

Once measured and after finding your perfect marathon running shoe, make sure to come back to MarathonRunningShoes.co.uk to find the cheapest price. Make sure to use our Suggest a Shoe feature if you can’t find your shoe on the site, and we will find the best price available online.

It can also be useful to purchase two pairs of marathon running shoes, and alternate on a regular basis, thus forcing the foot to adjust and not rely solely on one form of protection as the shoes get worn out.

It goes without saying that you should choose high quality marathon running shoes, that utilise design technology to allow you to get the best performance from your shoes. However, this does not necessarily mean just the most expensive, so ensure you try the shoe and are not swayed solely based on price. Some of the best and most popular marathon running shoes are:

Asics Gel Foundation 8
Lightweight, Motion Control running shoe with gel expansion in rear foot and spacious forefoot.

Nike Air Pegasus +25 Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoes (RRP £89.99)
Full length air cushioning unit, stabilises feet with 360 degree overlay support, added abrasion protection with rubber on heel, Gore-Tex lining making it weatherproof.

Brooks 2 Switch
Uses foam and Hydroflow cushioning, it is a firm stable shoe that offers a responsive and lightweight feel.

Asics Gel Kinsei 3 Women’s Running Shoe
Features a transition bridge which enables the gel to be held in place, asymmetric laces, thermal material for heat/cold adaptation, cushioning and stability.

New Balance 835 (RRP £60)
Fore footed runners shoe, versatile marathon running shoe that offers durability and mid-sole cushioning for light footed runners.