The 2024 Paris Marathon took place yesterday (April 7), with more than 54,000 runners completing the 26.2 miles from the Champs-Elysées.

If you are like us and like to stay informed on the best carbon fiber running shoes, you probably want to know who finished first and what shoes they were wearing.

It was a big day for Ethiopia, which won gold medals in both the men's and women's races. Mulugeta Uma, who finished first in the men's race, clocked 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 33 seconds. Meanwhile, women's first-place finisher Mestawut Fikir was not far behind, clocking 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 45 seconds.

It is important to emphasize that these athletes are elite, and their success is not just about the shoes they wear on race day. Rigorous training, meticulous hydration and nutrition plans, and diligent recovery routines play a major role in their accomplishments.

But if you're looking for race-day shoes for inspiration, these are the shoes that helped two runners win gold in this year's Paris Marathon.

Both Uma and Fikir finished the race dressed head to toe in Asics running apparel and wearing the Metaspeed Sky Paris, a pair of Asics running shoes that were released in February 2024.

The predecessor to the Sky Paris, the Metaspeed Sky+, was released in 2022, so ASICS is in no rush to release an updated version of this race shoe. However, as far as the Paris Marathon results are concerned, the Metaspeed Sky Paris is paying off for ASICS this year.

The running shoe is priced at $250 in the US and £220 in the UK. This is cheaper than some of the existing popular super shoes like the Nike Air Zoom Alpha Fly Next%2. However, if you want to find a cheaper racing shoe, I would look at the New Balance Fuel Cell Super Comp Elite V3 or the "Saucony Endorphin Pro 3."

The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is quite lightweight, weighing in at 188g/6.6oz in men's size 9. It also features ASICS' new FF Turbo+ foam, which provides comfortable cushioning while pounding the roads and sidewalks.

Meanwhile, the shoe's upper features Motion Wrap 2.0 technology to increase breathability and comfort while running. An embedded carbon plate helps propel you forward too, allowing you to get up to speed in a pinch.

Overall, the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris seems like an impressive shoe for its versatility, designed to push runners through PBs at distances varying from 5k races to marathons. Could this be your next race shoe?