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      Get Adelaide Marathon Ready

      March 25, 2025 6 min read

      Get Adelaide Marathon Ready
      Five time Adelaide Marathon finisher and official io Outsider Sputnik, gives his tips to be Adelaide Marathon ready.
      I will always remember lining up for my very first Adelaide Marathon way too many years ago now, when it used to start down at the Athletics Stadium in Mile End, and the course went down to Glenelg, along the foreshore, and up Linear Park back to the sport field. It was a few minutes before the start and I turned to the runner next to me and asked if he had any last minute advice. 

      “If you’ve done the training you’ll be fine” he said. Which was not at all comforting considering I had zero idea what the training was supposed to be and had done precisely none of it. 

      Narrator: And it was not fine. Not even close. 

      Since then, thankfully, I’ve learned a lot more about training, a lot more about preparation, run numerous road marathons around the world, and while I’ve never been an elite runner by any means, have a perfectly respectable PB of 3:44 at the Adelaide Marathon. 

      So here’s my best gear advice, for before you get to the starting line, which you should feel completely free to ignore if you’re already a better runner than I ever was.

      1. Don’t wear anything new on race day. (Almost no exceptions.)

      We all love buying new gear, new socks, new shoes, new running clothes etc, but running in something untried on race day can be a massive mistake. The only exception to this is if you’re buying replacement gear - exact same brand, model etc. If you run in Nike Pegasus, do not assume the new Pegs are the same as the old ones. They’re always mucking about with the design and just because you love the 39s doesn’t mean you’ll love the 40s. Try everything well before race day and make sure you’re happy with them. 

      (Sidenote: sometimes things feel ok on a shorter training run, or in certain weather, but feel way less ok after a few hours or in different weather. Do your best to try things in a way that replicates race day, and in different weather. Sometimes I’ve worn a top and it’s felt fine only to find in cooler weather you get nipple chafe and trust me, not great.)
      Sputnik at the New York Marathon and Big Sur Marathon.


      2. If merino is so good, why don’t companies like Nike use it?

      Look, I’ll just come out and say it… merino yarn and fabric costs more than synthetics. A lot more. So if you’re a company that likes to make billions in profits, (yes, like Nike), you want to use the cheapest raw materials possible and sell at the highest margins possible. I’m not for a second saying their stuff is no good, I used to be a Nike Run Club Leader and I still run in various bits of their gear from time to time, what I am saying is when a company like io comes along and tells you merino is better, don't doubt them just because Nike doesn't use it.

      3. Race belts are awesome. If you don’t have one, get one.

      They’re way better than trying to pin your number on your top or shorts. They also don’t leave pin holes in fabric. And you can move your number around or off to the side if it’s more comfortable. Sounds like a little thing, but when you’re out there pounding the pavement, any little thing that might annoy you that you can eliminate is worth doing.

      4. Are you a leggings person? If you’re a leggings person, decide in advance why you’re wearing them.

      If it’s just to cover up your legs, wear anything you’re comfortable in. If it’s because you want every bit of compression you can get, even though most people now agree compression is mostly best for recovery, then go for dedicated compression leggings and make sure they deliver a meaningful amount of compression. 
      If it’s a fashion statement (I have some excellent Sex Pistols ones that do bugger all for warmth or compression, but geez they look good) then go for whatever colour ad pattern floats your boat. BUT, and here’s the big butt I cannot lie, if you want leggings that keep your legs warm, for crying out loud buy leggings that are designed to do that. Like io’s Pace Merino Leggings. These don’t look as cool as some of the fancy ones, but they’re made specifically to keep your legs warm and will do that, with a nice, breathable fabric that also stops you overheating and stinking up a storm. They still deliver a nice amount of compression too. Some synthetic leggings can actually ‘hold the cold’ so don’t be fooled into thinking any old leggings will keep your legs comfy, they won’t. 

      Forget safety pins, check out this Race Belt
      Don't choose between comfort and performance, when you can choose these merino-compression leggings instead.


      5. Good socks are just as important as good shoes.

      Wearing crap socks completely defeats the purpose of buying those fancy shoes. Again, yes there are plenty of fancy brands, and yes, I’ve worn most of them. Steigens, Lightfeet, DryMax, Injinji, Nike… the list goes on. Most of them are fine. But do I absolutely love my io merino socks? Absolutely. For me, it’s not so much about keeping my feet warm, but they’re just really soft and comfortable and breathable and don’t go crusty over time (don’t pretend it’s never happened to you!) and don’t stink or make my feet sweat any more than I need to. They’re really good socks.
      Our socks are a best seller for good reasons, check 'em out.

      6. I thought arm warmers were stupid. Until I tried them.

      When the team at io told me they were doing arm warmers I thought it was a stupid idea. What’s the point? Don’t you just wear a T-shirt if it’s warm enough, or a long sleeve top if it’s cold enough, and pull up your sleeves if it warms up a bit? And no, no you don’t. Arm warmers are a game changer. Wearing a T-shirt with arm warmers and pulling them down or taking them off, is somehow completely different to wearing a long sleeve top and pulling the sleeves up. Don’t ask me why, it just is. I think because bunched up sleeves can be a bit crap. And being able to take your arm warmers off completely is a thousand times better. You can even wear them with a tank or singlet and really give mother nature the cold shoulder. 
      Check out our warm and versatile arm warmers

      7. Last but not least is your top. And it goes without saying I’m gonna give io’s merino tops another massive wrap.

      And again, I’ll be honest: if you’re doing parkrun on a fine day, you’re unlikely to notice a whole lot of difference. But the further you run, the longer you’re out there, the trickier the weather, you’re going to start being grateful for your io more and more. Their Ultra Range is the range they designed specifically for distance runners, but I know some people run in the Altitude Range - this is a body hugging style that was originally made for the snow but is really comfy. For me personally, I go with their Universal Range - same great fabric as Ultra, but a regular fit so it’s a bit more flattering on me and I can wear it for all sorts of things. (If you think it’s going to be a bit warmer, their Celsius Range is my other favourite. Same cut as Universal but an extra lightweight fabric and probably my favourite for just how soft and comfy it is!)
      Top to bottom, left to right: Ultra Tee, Altitude Tee, Universal Tee, Celsius Tee

      At the end of the day, yes, running is about your physical and mental preparation, but it’s also about eliminating anything else that might get in the way of you getting out there and having a good time. And io will definitely help you feel good for longer. And remember, you’ll be fine… as long as you’ve done the training. ;-)

       

      Let customers speak for us

      from 2003 reviews
      Cute

      I ordered one size up as advised in the product description and it fits perfectly. I love the stripes. Have not yet worn it on a run due to weather but I love wool and expect it to perform well.

      Erika Thomas
      Altitude 'Stripey' Racer Back Tank

      Feel amazing on. True to size and love the two side pockets. Will purchase again.

      Kym Weidner
      Pace Compression Bike Shorts

      Reliable brand. Great quality. Australian. This would be the fifth pair purchased for this household. Highly recommend.

      m.f.
      Stride Tracksuit Pants
      Socks

      Very comfortable and breathable socks.
      The fit and size are spot on.

      clare stacey
      No Show Socks
      Perfect T

      I’ve not worn a T in my life that works like the IO. From Exmouth to Adelaide this T worked as described by the company

      Stephen Boyd
      Universal Tee - Austrailio
      Raglan Tops - Outstanding Value

      Great for a cold weekend away (at Wonderland), or smart to wear at work with a Pinnacle Top. Such good quality, I bought 2 if each. The colour has not faded after 3 years wear.

      Jennifer Watkins
      Zone Raglan
      Arm warmers

      Highly recommended. Non-slip, snug, warm, comfortable and I love the Peaks & Trails logo!

      Greg Kew
      Pace Arm Warmers - Peaks & Trails

      Warm, snug, great colour

      Joan Tibballs
      Altitude Crew

      The only socks I wear for work, they feel great and never smell.

      David Grainger
      Hiking Socks
      Black yoga pants xxl

      Very comfortable , great length , fantastic for travel, would recommend, great quality

      Bernadette Hogan
      Yoga Pants

      They are great, warm, and comfortable even while running.

      Ann Dohnt
      Altitude Neck Warmer
      First impressions

      Good fit good comfort

      Clifford Grove
      Altitude Boxers - Ready for Adventure
      Love it

      Looks and feels great. Has kept me warm under my jacket in Boston. My second one of these and love it

      Vanessa Magrath
      Ultra Zip
      Comfort and smart enough to wear out

      Comfort and smart enough to wear out.

      susan finnigan
      Glacier Tracksuit Pants
      Worth the expense

      Best and most comfortable merino clothing for the UK and Canada winter. A must buy is the base layers. Tops and leggings. Very happy with my purchase.
      Easy to care.
      Can't wait to use my gear for next trip to Finland 2025.

      Graham White
      Altitude Tee - Southern Cross