assistant: You've got the volume and footstrike profile for a serious marathon push. Before I lock in a pick, one quick question: **have you raced in a carbon-plated super-shoe before**, or would this be your first time in one at race pace? The reason I ask — sub-3 is a 6:52/mile effort, and how your body responds to the plate stiffness and stack height under that sustained load matters more than the shoe's specs alone. If you're experienced with super-shoes, I'd lean one direction; if you're coming from a traditional daily trainer, a different shoe might be the safer bet for your first marathon in a racer. That said, your midfoot strike and 65 kg bodyweight are ideal for a carbon racer — you're light enough that the plate won't feel dead, and a midfoot landing naturally suits the aggressive forefoot stiffness these shoes deliver.

assistant: **Alphafly 3** for your sub-3 marathon. Here's the split: The **Vaporfly 4** is a 5K–half-marathon specialist — it's lighter (167g), snappier, and built for shorter, faster efforts. But it's also narrower in the forefoot and has lower durability (under 100 miles), which makes it a risky choice for a full marathon at 6:52/mile pace. You'd be pushing the shoe's lifespan hard, and the narrow fit could become a problem over 26.2 miles. The **Alphafly 3** is purpose-built for marathon distance. At 198g with a 40/32mm stack (vs. Vaporfly's 36/30mm), it gives you more cushioning and protection for the sustained effort — crucial when you're holding sub-3 pace for 2+ hours. The wider heel and more forgiving ZoomX foam suit marathon pacing better than the Vaporfly's aggressive geometry. EDDBUD notes it's "super-forgiving" and "tailored to longer distances," and The Run Testers praise its leg protection while maintaining speed. You're experienced enough with super-shoes that the softer ride won't feel sluggish; it'll feel like a smart trade of top-end snap for durability and comfort. The only caveat: FORDY RUNS warns that the soft foam can overwork calves late in the race for first-time marathoners. You're not in that camp at 60 mi/wk with a sub-3 target, so that's not a blocker for you. **Verdict:** Alphafly 3 is the right tool for your distance and pace.