Adidas shares surged on Monday after Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe made history by becoming the first person to complete a marathon in under two hours in an official race, wearing the German sportswear giant's Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 trainers.
Historic Achievement at London Marathon
Sawe shattered one of athletics' most formidable barriers on Sunday, securing victory at the London Marathon with an astonishing time of one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. The quest for a sub-two-hour marathon has been a major ambition in sport for many years.
Following his triumph, Sawe proudly displayed his $500 (£369) Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 trainer, which bore the markings "WR" and "sub-2" in black marker. He surpassed the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023.
This victory provides a significant boost for Adidas in its ongoing rivalry with Nike, particularly after years of extensive, lab-backed research and numerous near-misses in the pursuit of developing a "supershoe" capable of breaking the record.
Comparison with Nike's Attempts
Nike's "Breaking2" attempt in Monza in 2017 narrowly missed the mark, although Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge did run under two hours in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge two years later. However, those efforts were not recognised within the sport's official record books.
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second in his marathon debut, and Tigst Assefa broke her own women-only world record. All three athletes were equipped with Adidas' Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 trainers, which are scheduled for public release on Thursday.
Innovative Shoe Technology
Featuring innovative foam, carbon-plated soles, and ultra-light components, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 weighs an average of 97 grams – 30 per cent less than its predecessor – and enhances running economy by 1.6 per cent, according to Adidas.
Patrick Nava, general manager at Adidas Running, stated: "The Adidas family is incredibly proud of Sabastian and Tigist's historic achievements. This is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication they have made, alongside our innovation team."
Market Reaction and Future Plans
Adidas shares rose by 2 per cent in mid-morning trading, though they remain down 18 per cent since the start of the year amid concerns over the group's exposure to US tariffs and the broader impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
The company previously launched its Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 trainers in late 2023, after Assefa set a new women's marathon world record while wearing them at the Berlin Marathon.
The third iteration of the shoe will be available for $500 a pair exclusively via the Adidas app, with a wider release planned for the autumn marathon season, as per the company's website. However, its steep price tag places it beyond the reach of most runners.
