There are few occasions that garner such good-willed camaraderie in New York City as the annual marathon. While the Knicks’ historic win this summer brought people out into the streets in rivaling numbers, nothing quite compares to the citywide mobilization seen on the first Sunday of November. This year, on November 1, an estimated 60,000 runners will flood all five boroughs, while an even larger number of spectators will return to the challenging route to transform the 26.2-mile course into an annual citywide block party.
If you have looked around during the past few weeks on your morning commute or weekend walks, you have probably spotted these dedicated runners settling in for the long haul. They are completing their grueling 15-, 18-, or 20-mile training runs in preparation for the big day, testing their endurance against the changing autumn elements. Among them are familiar faces from the publishing world, including Vogue’s Emily Jones and Teen Vogue’s Alyssa Hardy, who have been putting in the early-morning miles alongside thousands of other hopefuls.
For runners at Vogue, finding the right race day fit, or even just the perfect daily gear, can feel overwhelming. The endless decisions can test even the most experienced athlete: Do you prefer sports bras with removable or sewn-in padding? Do you put your phone and gels in your shorts, or do you spring for a running belt? Carbon plates or traditional foam? And can you really run comfortably in merino wool? Luckily, these editors have had all year—and plenty of variable weather—to figure out what actually works when the pavement starts calling.
In honor of the upcoming New York City Marathon, a closer look at the training essentials that Vogue’s runners swear by reveals the specialized gear keeping them going through the miles.
Emily Jones
As someone who suffered the consequences of wearing a bad pair of socks during her first marathon—noting that her toenails have never quite been the same since—finding the absolute perfect pair of socks was at the top of Emily Jones’s list when she started training for the New York City Marathon. She swears exclusively by the Feetures max cushion crew sock to prevent friction and blisters over long distances.
Managing hair while logging high-mileage runs in unpredictable weather is another persistent challenge. For Jones, the SNTE Styling Cream has been a saving grace during runs on humid summer nights and in the pouring rain, proving essential through historic storms.
While acknowledging the recent comeback of corded headphones, Jones found that wires continually got in her way while running. She eventually invested in a pair of Shokz headphones and has not looked back since. They are especially great for running in a city as busy as New York, allowing her to stay aware of surrounding traffic and city sounds while enjoying great battery life.
When it comes to apparel, Jones swears by everything Lululemon, but holds a particular fondness for the Fast and Free High-Rise Short. The pockets are described as amazing for holding a phone and energy gels, the fabric does not ride up or roll down during extended movement, and the overall comfort makes them a staple. True Navy is her favorite color, but she admits to wanting them in every available shade.
Alyssa Hardy, Digital Director, Teen Vogue
Alyssa Hardy likes to think of herself as a casual runner who hits the pavement for the vibes, the exercise, and the simple joy of getting outside every once in a while. However, being given the opportunity to run the New York City Marathon this year was an experience she simply could not pass up. In less than two months, she has had to scale her routine from a comfortable five miles to preparing to cross the 26.2-mile finish line, with the right gear serving as her primary lifeline through the painful build-up.
Throughout her training regimen, Hardy has relied on a full On running kit in black: performance shorts equipped with multiple pockets for her phone, keys, and headphones, paired with a lightweight tank bra featuring a convenient front zipper. As a morning runner, she also layers on a cropped hoodie that almost invariably ends up tied around her waist by the time the run concludes.
Hardy has also discovered that she does not need to sacrifice her love for lip gloss during training, provided the formula is ultra-moisturizing. She slides a Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Rose Bud into her back pocket. It provides long-lasting hydration, allowing her to swipe it on the moment she finishes her run and instantly feel like a human being again.
Talia Abbas, Shopping Director
Fall in New York is by far Talia Abbas’s favorite time of year for running. There is nothing she loves more than heading out in a light pair of shorts and a long-sleeve top when the air is crisp and chilly, but not bitingly cold.
Current training essentials for Abbas center around pieces from Bandit and Literary Sport. Combined with a reliable pair of Adidas trainers and District Vision sunglasses, she finds herself right in her running happy zone as she navigates the autumn streets.
Alexandra Hildreth, Fashion News Writer
While Alexandra Hildreth has experimented with various strategies on race day—testing no gels, new gels, extra electrolytes, and even buying an entirely new outfit the day before—her day-to-day running uniform remains remarkably steady. Despite frequently protesting that she is merely a casual runner, she wakes up at 5:45 AM to run most weekdays, meaning mornings require keeping things as streamlined as possible.
Her workout wardrobe mainly consists of a weekly rotation of Lululemon Shake It Out shorts—though with the way gym laundry piles up, she notes you can never have enough—alongside an On Speed Belt and her go-to sneakers, the Asics Novablast 6. She finds that the belt, which securely fits her phone, keys, AirPods case, and on one memorable race day, a portable phone charger, sits perfectly across the waistband of her shorts for a comfortable, hands-free run. For tops, she rotates through Lululemon sports bras, On crop tops, and well-worn T-shirts suited for a groggy jog along the West Side Highway.
When it comes to long runs, she tends to rely on Gu Liquid Running Gels in Lemonade, though she shares a secret runner’s trick: scarfing a handful of Trader Joe’s Super Sour Scandinavian Swimmers for a quick burst of energy.
Kylee McGuigan, Associate Production Manager
Kylee McGuigan completed three half marathons in an 18-month period from 2024 to 2025 and has set a firm goal to run a full marathon before turning 30 next year, meaning she has done her fair share of research into the best running gear available.
Lululemon serves as her primary choice for apparel. She frequently reaches for their Swiftly long-sleeve top and high-rise pocket leggings during long runs in colder weather. While the pockets on the leggings help accommodate her phone and apartment keys, she needed an alternative storage solution to keep sunglasses, her AirPods case, and electrolyte packets close at hand. The SPIbelt proved to be the ideal accessory for keeping these smaller items safe and secure.
When pushing through intense physical efforts, water alone sometimes falls short. For McGuigan, LMNT electrolyte mixes have provided genuine revitalization during tougher training sessions.
Aemilia Madden, Contributor
Aemilia Madden spent the majority of her summer training sessions running through blazing heat, but she is finally enjoying the crisp, cool fall days that mark her favorite running weather. As she prepares for her first marathon, her training has helped her home in on what truly feels comfortable over long distances. Logging 18- or 20-mile days means hours of sustained movement where ill-fitting shorts or irritating race fuel can quickly derail progress. With the right combinations tested and secured, she heads toward race day feeling prepared for the challenges ahead.