483 | Asics Gel Slowcush, Nike Apex, Taco Bell 50K

Russia has a plague problem, New York has a cheer zone problem, and Thomas apparently has no problem eating his way through ten Taco Bells in 11 hours. This week Thomas, Meg, Robbe and Karl get into NYRR’s new rules for run club cheer zones (RIP confetti cannons), the run club that cleared $640K in a year, Altra’s Legacy Team of runners aged 75 to 85, and Skechers’ new Aero Elite race shoe (machine washable, naturally). Thomas also shares his first impressions of the Nike Apex and SwooshFly, and we put the Asics Gel Slowcush and the Mizuno Sky Prime on the scale to settle which $200 recovery shoe is worth it. Plus, Meg announces LA 100 2.0, and Robbe’s son takes 2nd place in his first cross country race. We’ll see you in Chicago!

BELIEVE IN THE RUN CHICAGO SHAKEOUT

What: Shakeout run with live music from Hollyy, co-hosted with On and Fleet Feet Chicago. Demo On’s LightSpray before race day, and the first 150 runners get a limited-edition BITR x On cap.

When: Saturday, October 10 @ 8:30 a.m. (we’ll be there at 7:30, and hats go fast)

Where: Navy Pier, Chicago, IL

Cost: FREE

https://www.marathon-weekend.com/chicago/2026/events/believe-in-the-run-x-on-shakeout-run

LA 100 2.0

Meg and Meghann are taking 100 women to the LA Marathon again, with a race bib, coaching, nutrition guidance and a VIP race weekend. Applications are open until October 11: https://la100.run/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

SWIFTWICK

Your feet are sweating with all those workouts, so treat them with the best pair of socks for training and race day. We use Swiftwick for all our races, which keep us cool and blister free. Pick up your pair and save 15% off your first purchase with code BELIEVE15: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believe

LMNT

Fall marathon training is in full swing, which means you need more salt than you think you do. Crisp and refreshing, all LMNT flavors deliver 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium. And if you’re an insider, you can get the limited-edition Pink Lemonade or Lemonade Iced Tea. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

PILLAR PERFORMANCE

Running day after day takes a toll on your tendons, ligaments and connective tissue. Pillar’s Collagen Repair is designed to support all of it, and it’s flavorless, so a scoop or two disappears into your morning coffee. We use it daily. Get 15% off your first purchase with code BITR: https://pillarperformance.shop or https://thefeed.com/pillar