assistant: You're in great shape for a first marathon on 25 mi/wk — solid base. For a cushioned daily trainer under $150, I'd lead with the **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1**. It's built on PEBA foam (the premium stuff), has excellent expert reception, and reviewers specifically praise it as versatile enough to handle your easy miles *and* tempo work without needing a second shoe. The Run Testers call it "light, poppy, and propulsive" with "better performance at the slower miles" — exactly what a marathon trainer needs. If you want a more traditional, cushioned feel with a firmer platform, the **New Balance 880 v15** is excellent. Doctors of Running notes it's "the firmest and most structured" of the group with "pronounced rocker geometry" — that rocker will help your legs feel fresher on long runs. A third solid option: the **ASICS GT-2000 v13** at 230g is the lightest of the bunch and reviewers prefer it for versatility over the newer v14. It's got mild stability rails (won't hurt you as a neutral runner) and sits between the Azura's pop and the 880's cushion. <details> <summary><strong>Why the Azura leads</strong></summary> At 244g with 41/33mm stack, the Azura sits right in the sweet spot for marathon training — cushioned enough for 20-milers but responsive enough that you won't feel sluggish on tempo days. The PWRRUN PB midsole is firmer and bouncier than standard EVA, and the Speedroll rocker (no plate) keeps transitions smooth without the energy-sapping feel of heavier trainers. All three reviewers ranked it over the Rebel v5, and The Run Testers specifically see it as Saucony's answer to the Adidas Evo SL — a non-plated daily trainer that punches above its $150 price. For a first marathoner, that versatility means you can build your entire training block in one shoe. </details> One follow-up: are you planning to race the marathon in the same shoe, or do you want to eventually add a dedicated race-day shoe to your rotation?

assistant: At under $130, the **Adidas Adizero SL v2** is your pick — it's $130 MSRP and crushes the Pegasus 42 for a first marathoner on your mileage. Here's the gap: the SL v2 weighs 238g with a PEBA midsole (Lightstrike Pro), while the Pegasus 42 is 292g with a TPE foam (ReactX) that reviewers call "lifeless" and "boring." EDDBUD rates the SL v2 as his desert-island daily trainer over pricier alternatives — more versatile, lighter, and often discounted below retail. For marathon training, that weight savings and liveliness matter on 20-milers. The Pegasus 42 *can* work for you, but it's not the right choice here. It's heavier, less responsive, and reviewers note it feels "anchored" next to PEBA-based competition at the same price. EDDBUD calls it "middle of the road" and "not all that exciting to run in" — not what you want for 25 mi/wk of training. Fordy Runs sums it up: "too heavy for a daily trainer." You'd be paying $145 for a shoe that reviewers see as outclassed. **One caveat on the SL v2:** it has a narrow forefoot. You're 75kg (neutral, no width concerns mentioned), so it should fit fine, but EDDBUD notes some runners size up a half — he stayed true to size. I'd go true to size based on your profile, but if you have narrow feet, that's a bonus. The SL v2 sits between daily trainer and tempo work, so it'll handle your easy miles *and* any uptempo sessions without needing a second shoe — exactly what a first marathoner needs to keep gear simple.