Hackney Half Marathon 2024: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 Race Test

We know that the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is one of the best daily trainers but can it step up to racing? Run Tester Kieran puts it to the half marathon test at the Wizzair Hackney Half Marathon to find out.
JUMP STRAIGHT IN:
0:00 - Intro
1:12 - Post race reaction
2:24 - The race - Hackney Half
5:35 - The Shoes - Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
9:50 - Verdict
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[@philkinner8258]

I ran Chester HM on Sunday in Speed 4s straight out of the box. I had been travelling internationally with work and HRV was very low... brutally hot, I had nothing, but the shoes were amazing! I'm a 3hr50 marathoner so not fast, carbons hurt my feet so these are the perfect compromise of comfort and stability while getting some punch, especially towards the end when I found a second wind and finished the last couple miles at a decent clip! Less squishy and more responsive than the speed 3s, These will be my go to 'race' shoes 😎 Great update Saucony 👍

[@TheRunTesters]

Nicely done Phil. Glad the shoes worked for you.

[@idawson998]

I ran Chester too, that heat was ridiculous

[@matthewcreelman1347]

I wore my Speed 4s for a 10k this past weekend, and took an even two minutes off my PB, going down to 43:38. I’m a fan.

[@TheRunTesters]

Nicely done Matthew.

[@RobertCawston]

Missed you out there. Managed to squeeze out a 1:37 PB in NB Fuelcell Rebel 4 (which I love). It was super hot!

[@TheRunTesters]

Well done Robert. Great running in that heat.

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

Speeds are such a quality safe pair of shoes (for a plated offering ) . Great review of the race.

[@TheRunTesters]

They certainly are. Easy shoes to run in.

[@deansummerton2577]

I got these after watching reviews from the channel. I ran three HM's this month in them (Newcastle-Gateshead, Sunderland and Edinburgh) and really enjoyed them. Great review yet again.

[@TheRunTesters]

That's really pleasing to hear Dean. Congrats on the 3 halves in a month as well.

[@benr3085]

I ran in them on a full marathon and they worked out great.

[@TheRunTesters]

That's good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[@Pbat23]

I got the Endorphin Pro 3s, and they are still my favorite shoe!

[@TheRunTesters]

Popular shoe with TRT team too that one.

[@vong4518]

I’ve been running for a year recovering from 2 slipped disks, and i love the speed4… it’s my racing shoe for 5k’s, and my calves are not on fire in them, unlike Novablast 3TR which burns my calves like hell for the first 2-3km’s. I’m. I’m not fit enough yet to run longer races, but getting there bit by bit

[@TheRunTesters]

Hope that fitness comes back soon for you. Keep the consistency!!

[@therunningtattooartist5172]

🔥🔥 smashed it

[@hahaheslop]

I ran on Sunday too, managed to break 90mins for the first time. But man, it was HOT! 🥵

[@hahaheslop]

£76 for 2025, it's a joke!

[@TheRunTesters]

Congrats mate. That's a fantastic run.

[@TheValonquar]

Shoe of the year for me.

[@scratchandwinner]

At a certain point you shouldn't rely on your shoe to run the race for you via energy return... I'd rather have the protection from impact with medium return . Awesome video, thanks.

[@TheRunTesters]

Never rely on the shoes to run the race. Doesn't matter what shoes you wear if you haven't got the fitness.

[@mthuthuzelimsobantu5546]

Good to see the Comrades bib at the back there. I cannot get why marathons start this late in the Northern Hemisphere. You did well coming of a footy game the day before.

[@TheRunTesters]

Not played footy for a year either. All good training I hope for my return to try and get a back to back in a few weeks!

[@tzabo]

I like the way you review running shoes. I'm a beginner 5-10k distance runner with a 6-7 pace. I'm planning on taking these shoes (Speed 4) or NB 4 for race day, but will they fit me? Or do you have other shoe recommendations? Thx a lot

[@jonathanwatkins447]

Your comrades shoe? Back to back time. Let's go

[@TheRunTesters]

It's gonna be a contender for sure. Not sure if I will be 😂

[@kophotography895]

So frustrating, adverts keep messing up the watch of your videos, appears when you say certain words...end up not watching most of the video cos of it

[@jakebushlack]

Having run in them for a while now, do you see much difference between the 3s and the 4s?

[@MonticArckeys]

I ran the Speed 3s during the Hackney Half this year. Did 1:43 so was pretty happy. Is it a training shoe? I wouldn't say so.

[@TheRunTesters]

Depends what training really. I've used the Speed 4 for ong mixed paced marathon training runs.

[@chinpoeykhoo6261]

Hi Kieran, since endorphin speed 4 is not available yet over my country what is your opinion if I'm getting another pair of speed 3 at discount price vs speed 4 since it is not really affordable after exchange rate conversion for someone aiming at sub 150 half marathon?

[@TheRunTesters]

I loved the Speed 3 and I think if you've run in those and enjoyed them, stick with that for now.

[@wordsovsean8905]

I havent tried them in a half, but I think I'd use them. Wearing the Speed 4s, I took 15 or so seconds off my 10km PB that I did in the Pro 3s (39:01 down to 38:44). I may have just been having a good day, but I enjoy the slightly lower to the ground feelimg of the Speed 4s, even though they're not actually all that low. They're also good if you don't get along with some of the race day shoe uppers. The only thing I don't like about rhem is running slower than 5 minute kms. I think they feel odd at that pace and I much prefer the Kinvara Pro for that. Grest video, thanks.

[@caslone88]

Have you used the Adidas Takumi Sen 9? I ran my last 10k in these. 38:20. I both the Endorphin Speed 4 a couple weeks ago and been using the. For speed, easy and long runs. Interested in racing them but right now the Sen 9s seem fast

[@wordsovsean8905]

@@caslone88 I've heard good things about the Takumi Sen, but I've got so many shoes at the moment. I just can't justify another pair, especially not a more specialised pair as I don't really race.

[@tiaan777]

Would you use it for a marathon using the same criteria? As someone who is unable to utilize the full pace capabilities of a carbon shoe.

[@TheRunTesters]

I think this could be a good marathon shoe. Though some people have said it doesn't cushioned enough for that distance/time on feet, I'd be more than happy to go 26.2 in them.

[@chrisdawson7181]

Thoughts on the speed 4 for a first marathon? Looking for stability and a bit of punch but not a full carbon plated shoe.

[@philkinner8258]

Great choice for first Marathon Chris 👍 will be my goto race shoe. They are more comfy and have more punch than the Tempus, which was my previous go to Marathon shoe 😎

[@chrisdawson7181]

@@philkinner8258 great news mate! 👏

[@TheRunTesters]

I think they've got great first marathon potential.

[@vincewarne228]

From last year, it was hot too (and getting hotter) and as I was coming in to finish the last waves were just starting so that is a bit brutal.

[@MonticArckeys]

Yeah it was hotter earlier on last year!

[@Mike-gi4ft]

Would you recommend them for a 10k or even a 5k ?

[@gtromble]

Lots of people, myself included, use the Speed for 5 and 10K. 10K just last weekend and it carried me along very nicely to a 24th out of 140 finish.

[@MonticArckeys]

They're great for speed