Official marathon under two hours achieved in London using adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe and Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha have become the first humans in history to complete a full marathon in under two hours during an official race. The historic achievement occurred at the London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April, with Sawe crossing the line in 1:59:30 and Kejelcha finishing in 1:59:41. Both athletes were equipped with the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a model that has drawn significant attention from the running community and industry observers.

The footwear used for this milestone features an average weight of 97g over a 27.0 cm length, making it the lightest in the history of the Adizero series. According to adidas, the midsole material weight has been reduced by approximately 50% compared to previous models. The shoe incorporates integrated carbon-and-foam ENERGYRIM technology to ensure stability, while Continental rubber in the forefoot is designed to provide grip during high-speed running.

Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa also competed in the women's race wearing the same model, setting a new world record for a women-only race. This simultaneous success across both the men's and women's categories highlights the performance capabilities of the footwear. The event marks the first time the two-hour barrier has been broken in an official race, distinguishing it from previous attempts that lacked the same regulatory standing.

This achievement contrasts sharply with Nike's 2019 Breaking2 project, where Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in 1:59:40. That event was not considered an official race due to the use of 40 pacemakers and a lead car with pacing lights. While Kipchoge's time stunned the industry and public, the London Marathon result provides a definitive benchmark that challenges the previous narrative of speed dominance held by Nike.

Since 2020, the adidas Adizero series has won over 200 races and rewritten 24 world records, contributing to a diversification of the market against Nike's long-standing influence. The landscape among elite runners, once dominated almost entirely by Nike, has shifted as adidas, ASICS, and rising brand On have increased their presence. The success in London is expected to shift market perception regarding speed technology for the coming years.

Domestic sales figures for the specific Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 model have not yet been announced, though the product is available at adidas Brand Flagship Stores. The competition between adidas and its rivals is expected to further advance running technology and culture, moving beyond the initial boom of thick-soled shoes that began around 2017.