Toronto-based graphic designer Sydney Cornett travelled to Japan for the 2026 Tokyo Marathon not really knowing what to expect.
Although Cornett has been a lifelong runner, this was her first Abbott World Marathon Major, and it was 126 times the size of her first marathon in Muskoka, Ont.
“When you’re standing in your corral among thousands of strangers who all can’t see the start line, it can feel a little intimidating,” Cornett said. But standing there, decked out in the three stripes and adidas shoes, helped her keep her cool.
Training with the EVO SL
Over four months of marathon training, one shoe in particular became Cornett’s go-to: the adidas Adizero EVO SL. She credits the shoe with helping her get through everything from demanding speed sessions to “long, dreaded treadmill runs,” adding that it quickly became something she could rely on day after day.
The EVO SL’s versatility made it a regular in her weekly rotation. Cornett says the shoe handled nearly every type of workout she threw at it—from tempo efforts and long runs to easy miles—and was comfortable enough that she often kept them on throughout the day at work.
Cornett on a training run in Toronto, wearing the adidas EVO SL. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn
Part of the appeal, she explains, is the balance between weight and cushioning. “It’s super lightweight,” she says, pointing to the clean silhouette and adidas’s Lightstrike Pro foam, which feels soft enough for longer runs while still responsive when the pace picks up. She also appreciated the upper design, noting that the shape of the toe box and breathable materials made the shoe comfortable on the run and practical for travel.
That practicality proved especially useful once she arrived in Japan. With limited luggage space, Cornett packed only two pairs of shoes for the trip—one of them the EVO SL. Because they’re so lightweight, she says, they were easy to bring along. She used them for her pre-race shakeout run and continued wearing them afterward while strolling around the city.
Race day excitement
Cornett said she did everything she could to prepare herself to navigate the massive race-day logistics, watching a ton of YouTube videos on how participants get into their corral, and what signs to look out for, yet she still almost missed the gate cutoff (which was 15 minutes before the race).
Once things got underway, Cornett quickly settled into a rhythm and began taking in the moment. “Tokyo was everything I imagined it to be, and more,” she said.
She crossed the finish line in 3:37:33, smiling from ear to ear from the first kilometre to the last. Her goal was to dip under 3:30 and run a personal best, but after training in cold weather back in Toronto, Tokyo’s humid conditions forced her to adjust her expectations.
Cornett doing a shakeout run in Tokyo. Photo: Sydney Cornett
Post-race reflection
Reflecting on the experience, Cornett said the opportunity to represent adidas in Tokyo added an extra layer of motivation. “The partnership definitely motivated me to step up my training,” she said. “Even though there was some pressure, it made this marathon feel more real—it was exciting.”
Growing up playing soccer, Cornett said she had always been a fan of the brand. She remembers wearing adidas Predator cleats and having a picture of adidas athlete David Beckham on her wall.
A post-race photo of Cornett with family and friends after the 2025 Tokyo Marathon. Photo courtesy of Sydney Cornett
The shoes weren’t the only support Cornett had in Tokyo. A few of her friends from Toronto’s ÜNDA Trail run club made the trip across the Pacific to cheer her on, along with her mom, a seasoned marathoner who has completed five of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.
“My mom is trying to collect all her marathon major stars,” Cornett said. “We plan to finish it off at the Sydney Marathon.”
How fitting.