assistant: Before I recommend, I want to clarify one thing: for race day, are you looking for a dedicated carbon-plated racing flat to maximize speed, or a cushioned shoe you can also train in? At 85kg and targeting 4:30 (about 10:20/mile), you're in that sweet spot where either approach works — but it changes the recommendation. A racing flat prioritizes speed but demands race-specific prep; a cushioned daily trainer or super-trainer gives you comfort and durability for both training and race day. Which direction appeals to you more?

assistant: Perfect — that's the right call for a first marathon. You need a shoe that'll keep your feet happy for 4+ hours, not one optimized for speed. At 85kg, durability and cushioning matter more than weight savings. Here are my top three picks: **Nike Vomero Plus** — Best for marathon comfort. This is a dedicated easy-run/recovery shoe with serious cushioning (43mm heel stack, ZoomX PEBA foam) and a high 10mm drop that takes pressure off your calves during the later miles. It's heavier at 281g, but that's fine for race day — you're not chasing minutes. The plush ride is built for long, easy efforts, which is exactly what a 4:30 marathon is. **Mount to Coast C1 v1** — Best balanced option. Sits between a daily trainer and a long-run shoe with 42mm heel stack, good energy return, and a moderate rocker that reduces late-stance fatigue. At 261g it's lighter than the Vomero but still protective. Wide forefoot fit is a plus for your body weight, and reviewers note 500–600 mi durability — plenty for training plus race day. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** — Best value. High cushioning (daily trainer category but rides soft), excellent expert reception, and at $150 it's a solid price point. Less stack data than the others, but the "excellent" reception and high-cushion spec suggest it'll handle marathon distance well. This is a good all-around trainer you can use for both training and race day. **One follow-up:** How many miles per week are you currently running, and do you have a few weeks to break in a new shoe before race day? That'll help me confirm the Vomero or C1 is the right call — both are durable, but the Vomero's extra cushioning is overkill if you're doing lighter training volume.

assistant: Great — the **Nike Vomero Plus** is a solid choice for your marathon. You've got excellent instincts: Doctors of Running calls it "what they hoped the Vomero would be," and it's got the cushioning and durability you need for 4+ hours at 85kg. Since you're committed to the Vomero Plus, here's what makes it the right call and what else sits in that same comfort zone: **Nike Vomero Plus** — Your pick. 43mm heel stack with ZoomX PEBA foam, 10mm drop, and a full-length outsole that adds stability without feeling clunky. Ben Parkes notes it's "firmer and more reactive than the MagMax 2" — so it's not a marshmallow, but it's plush enough for marathon pacing. Doctors of Running crushed durability testing at 100 miles with basically no outsole wear, which matters for a shoe you'll train in and race in. **Brooks Glycerin v23** — If you want an alternative in the same lane. Slightly softer ride (DNA TUNED nitrogen-infused EVA), 39mm stack, and true-to-size fit. It's 28g heavier than the Vomero Plus and sits between the Vomero and the Vomero Premium in plushness — a safe, well-regarded choice if you ever want a second long-run shoe for rotation. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** — A lighter, snappier option if you want to pick up pace on some training runs. 41mm stack with PWRRUN PB (PEBA), excellent expert reception, and at $150 it's the cheapest of the bunch. Still plenty of cushion for marathon distance, but it's more of a daily trainer that *can* handle long runs rather than a dedicated long-run shoe like the Vomero. On **Mount to Coast**: it's a smaller brand, but the C1 v1 is well-regarded — 42mm stack, wide forefoot fit (good for your body weight), and 500–600 mi durability. The main difference is it's a *long-run* shoe rather than an easy-recovery shoe, so it has a bit more energy return and a moderate rocker. Solid if you want something between a daily trainer and the Vomero's plushness, but the Vomero Plus is the safer, more proven pick for a first marathon. Stick with the Vomero Plus. You've got a good shoe — train in it, race in it, and focus on your pacing strategy instead.

assistant: ASICS has some excellent options for your marathon, and honestly, a couple of them rival or even beat the Vomero Plus for your specific situation — heavier runner, 4:30 target, need for comfort over speed. **ASICS Superblast v2** — Best ASICS pick for your marathon. This is the one to consider seriously. It's got 46mm heel stack with FF TURBO PLUS (PEBA) — that's *more* cushioning than the Vomero Plus (43mm) — plus a soft_plush ride that reviewers note handles marathon distance beautifully. At 249g it's lighter than the Vomero Plus (281g), which helps at 85kg, and the "well-regarded" expert reception backs it up. The specs say it's built for "marathon, marathon_goal_pace, marathon_training" — that's a direct fit. At $200, it's $20 more than the Vomero Plus, but the extra stack and PEBA foam are worth it for 4+ hours on your feet. **ASICS Megablast v1** — If you want max cushioning with a snappier feel. 45mm stack (between the Vomero Plus and Superblast v2), FF BLAST MAX foam, and "excellent" expert reception. It's listed for "marathon_goal_pace" and "marathon_training," and at 221g it's the lightest of the bunch — a real advantage at your body weight. The trade-off: it's a daily trainer / speed-training hybrid, so it rides a bit firmer than the Superblast v2. Still plenty of cushion for marathon distance, but if you want pure plushness, the Superblast v2 edges it out. **ASICS Novablast v5** — Budget-friendly option at $140. High cushioning, well-regarded, and it'll do the job for a first marathon. Less stack data than the others, but the price and reception make it worth considering if budget is a factor. My take: **stick with the Vomero Plus** — it's proven and you've committed to it. But if you want to swap to ASICS, the **Superblast v2** is the one. More stack, PEBA foam, and reviewers specifically call it out for marathon distance. Either shoe will get you to 4:30 comfortably.