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Top Brands Unveil Limited-Edition Running Shoe Designs

New Balance 1080 special edition
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In anticipation of prestigious fall races like the NYC Marathon and Ironman, many footwear brands create specially designed models inspired by the race locales.

Every year, shoe brands design limited-edition models of some of the most popular shoes for the Ironman World Championships, Chicago Marathon, and New York City Marathon. They’re almost always identical to the original in-line model, except with a new graphic design and color palette — and a $10-15 price bump.

Here’s a look at nine special-edition models released this fall. Designs reflect race locations like Chicago, NYC, Berlin, and Hawaii.

Altra Escalante Racer

Altra Escalante Racer

The Altra Escalante Racer is a lightweight race shoe with a zero-drop platform, wide toe box, energetic vibe, and bold New York, Berlin, or Aloha styles.

HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X

HOKA ONE ONE Carbon X

This maximally cushioned long-distance racer has a carbon-fiber plate embedded in its midsole for optimal efficiency and energy return for the Ironman run course in Kona.

  • $180
  • 8.7 oz. unisex
  • 5mm drop

HOKA IRONMAN Kona Mach 2

HOKA IRONMAN Kona Mach 2

A neutral-oriented trainer/racer with an energetic foam midsole and a touch of island flora, the Mach 2 delivers an extremely light and resilient ride.

New Balance NYC Marathon Fresh Foam 860v10

New Balance Fresh Foam 860 NYC

The 860 has a dual-density medial post and responsive cushioning for long-haul support and comfort for runners who will significantly overpronate from Staten Island to Manhattan.

Newton Limited Editions

Newton Limited Editions

This lightweight, low-to-the-ground racer includes Newton’s forefoot energy-returning lugs and a dual-density medial post for optimal late-race stability — along with its new designs. Limited editions feature design schemes of Chicago or New York skylines, or the Big Island beaches.

Nike Zoom Fly 3 Chicago

NIKE Zoom Fly Chicago

This lightweight, thickly cushioned, Chicago-inspired shoe enhanced with a carbon-fiber plate is a moderate takedown of Nike’s more pricey Vaporfly 4% and Vaporfly Next% shoes.

Saucony NYC Kinvara 10

Saucony NYC running shoe

This lightweight, low-profile trainer/racer has inspiring hints of taxi cabs and the Statue of Liberty.

Skechers GoRun Razor 3 Hyper

Skechers GoRun Razor

Skechers designed the green-and-yellow color motif of this energizing flyweight trainer/racer to match elite triathlete Lionel Sanders’ race-day kit in Kona.

  • $135
  • 6.4 oz. unisex
  • 4mm drop

Zoot Ultra TT

Zoot Ultra TT

Zoot Sports is (temporarily) back in the shoe game with this lightweight, triathlon-specific collaboration with Active 88, the new brand started by Newton Running co-founder Danny Abshire.

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