US EditionGet To Know The $500 Adidas Shoe That Finally Broke The 2-Hour Marathon Mark
The $500 shoe weighs 97 grams and Adidas says it delivers 11% greater forefoot energy return.
- On Sunday at the 2026 London Marathon, defending champion Sabastian Sawe became the first person to run a sanctioned marathon in under two hours, clocking 1:59:30, while Yomif Kejelcha also broke the barrier in 1:59:41.
- Both men, along with women's world record holder Tigst Assefa, wore the new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a 'super' running shoe that costs $500 and weighs just 97 grams.
- Designed with kite-surfing-inspired materials, the shoe features Lightstrike Pro Evo foam and a carbon-fiber Energyrim to deliver "controlled propulsion," remaining 30% lighter than its predecessor.
- Adhering to World Athletics regulations, the midsole stacks at 39mm, nearing the 40mm legal limit, while the $500 shoe is commercially available despite its extreme lightness limiting durability.
- This achievement represents the sport's greatest milestone since Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile over 70 years ago, with Adidas planning a wider release for the Evo 3 in fall 2026.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Sabastian Sawe is the first person to run a marathon in under two hours. Adidas celebrates – and stands out Nike. A shoe changes the sport.
How Adidas built £450 shoe that finally broke two hours – and why it’s not for you
Elite shoes are likely to re-ignite controversy about ‘shoe doping’ and whether the spirit of the marathon is being undermined – but have carried the men wearing them into history
The Marathon Under 2 Hours and the 97 Grams Shoes with the Ring: "Sawe Bounces and Doesn't Struggle"
The analysis of the expert Luigi Ferraris, in the team of the Kenyan neo-primatist world: "Adidas has won the challenge for history"
The tails, both in physical stores and online platforms, have become the most repeated image of the last days. The reason is no other than the historic achievement of the Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe, who has made history by becoming the first man to come down from the two hours in a marathon. Beyond the sporting feat, the focus has also shifted to the footwear he used: the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a model that has already been exhausted…
Sunday at the London marathon, Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha broke the world record for the event
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