Welcome back to Supwell Starter Kits—where we spotlight top-tier 2-shoe rotations for runners who want to cover all their bases without diving headfirst into full-blown shoe madness like the rest of us.

Starter Kit #1 is for first-time marathoners with no time goal in mind. With the Puma MagMax handling relaxed miles and long runs, and the Adidas Evo SL ready for fun daily miles, tempos, and speed work, this combo keeps training smooth, stable, and stress-free. Either could be used for race day depending on what feels right underfoot.

Starter Kit #2 is for first-time marathoners shooting for a sub-3. With the ASICS Novablast 5 covering daily miles, recovery runs, and midweek long-ish runs, and the Nike Alphafly 3 taking care of long runs with pace, speed workouts, and race day, this setup is built for stacking mileage with purpose.

Rotation #1: First Marathon - No Time Goal

Training for your first marathon is a tough beast, so getting to the start line healthy (let alone the finish line) is a big enough challenge without layering on a time goal. For those long runs and everyday miles, the MagMax is our top pick for first-time marathoners. It’s comfortable, cushioned, stable and fun, the perfect high-mileage training companion. Meanwhile, the Evo SL can handle any days where you want to pick up the pace or have a structured workout. Either of these is a solid race day choice if you don’t want to shell out $250+ on a Carbon County racer. Pick the Evo SL for a speedier race day ride or the MagMax for a protective one.

Speed Training

Adidas Evo SL

Speed training shoe with race foam and aggressive geometry

Price

$150

Plated?

No

Foam

Supercritical TPEE

Weight (oz)

8.1

Drop (mm)

7

Support

Neutral

see details

Rotation #2: First Marathon - Sub-3 hr Attempt

If you’re looking to go sub-3 on your first marathon attempt, get ready to stack mileage, rip tough midweek workouts and tackle 18+ mile long runs with big chunks at marathon pace. The Novablast 5 is a great pick for everyday miles and those long-ish midweek runs that start climbing up toward the 10 to 12 mile range. It can also handle steady long runs where you’re not pushing marathon pace. For fast days and long runs with race pace, the Alphafly 3 is the top choice on the market. It feels more cushioned and protective than any other race shoe, plus the durability is top notch.

Daily Trainer

Asics Novablast 5

Everyday running shoe designed for comfort and fun. Best daily trainer of 2025

Price

$150

Plated?

No

Foam

Not disclosed

Weight (oz)

8.7

Drop (mm)

8

Support

Mild Stability

see details

If you enjoyed this two-shoe rotation format, check out Part 1 where we featured shoes with a unique forefoot geometry and those with a bouncy, Goldilocks foam; or Part 2 where we featured a rotation with bouncy, soft, and fun midsoles and a rotation of no-frills, traditional shoes; Part 3 where we featured a rotation to maximize comfort and another to maximize speed; or Part 4 where we featured a Couch to 5k rotation and two shoes perfect for runners looking to venture into trail running.

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