adidas Marathon 85

• MODEL: ADIDAS MARATHON 85
• TYPE: RUNNING
• MADE IN: VIETNAM
• MADE ON: 12/12
• ART.NO: G95907
• FACTORY: SHW 675001

With all the retro runners this year and last, it would be easy to mistake these for another straight forward re-release, however the adidas Marathon 85 isn’t quite OG.

Now adidas’ archive is extensive – beyond extensive even – so we could certainly be wrong, but through our digging and digging it seems that the earliest adidas Marathon was released before ’85. In fact, besides the OGs and the possibly better know ’88s, we’ve seen various other Marathon family models such as the vintage Marathon Competition (coincidentally from 1985, though whether that’s relevant here is a mystery), Marathon 10s, Marathon 80s, and the more obscure low and high-cut Marathon TR (training) that are actually more useful for hiking or trail-blazing than running through the suburbs like the rest of the bunch.

We don’t need to spell it out for any of you: the pair pictured here is loud as can be. They’re a pair full of flash, an “I’m not taking no for an answer” sort of shoe, especially with those nearly obnoxious red highlights cutting across the gaudy golden body. Certainly not my own cup of tea but one that may fit the bill of playboys and the more outgoing guys (and gals?) of the casuals crowd. I will say though that the mix of materials is quite nice and not something we see often with this typically all suede silhouette.

Due for a July drop, lovers of their shape can expect a variety of colorways including many that are calmer and more classic than that which is pictured here. So flash or no flash, if you’re feeling the Marathon’s then you’ll be running like your last name was Gordon this summer.

written by Dylan Cromwell

photography by errol