On 26 April 2026, Sabastian Sawe from Kenya completed the London Marathon in 1:59:30. He shattered the previous world record and tore up the history books to become the first person to officially finish a marathon in under two hours.
As Sawe himself said: “It reflects the hard work behind the scenes, the support of my team, and the role of innovation in helping me push beyond limits.”
Every day spent honing his skills alongside teammates at his training camp, and the guidance provided by his coaches helped him achieve a benchmark for what humanity can accomplish together.
But just as important was his choice in running gear. Sporting the latest lightweight Adizero apparel, he secured a maximally efficient run with the lightweight and breathable Techfit+ Endurance Suit and Shorts. He also wore the ultra-breathable Climacool+ Singlet that kept him comfortable, cool, and dry from start to finish.
Most importantly, he rocked adidas marathon running shoes, and specifically the new Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.
DO CARBON-PLATED RUNNING SHOES MAKE YOU FASTER?
The fact that Sawe wore the latest adidas marathon running shoes demonstrates the effectiveness of carbon technology in running shoes.
He raced in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, which uses an innovative carbon-integrated design to deliver enhanced performance. His choice of sub-2-hour marathon shoe helped him cut a staggering two minutes and 35 seconds off his previous personal best, and resulted in a milestone.
And he wasn’t the only one:
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Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia also wore these cutting-edge supershoes. He took second place at the 2026 London Marathon, breaking the sub-two-hour barrier with a finish time of 1:59:41.
- Tigist Assefa from Ethiopia wore them too. She set a new record for the fastest women’s marathon time at 2:15:41 at the same event.
“This is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication they have made, alongside our innovation team, who have built a supershoe which breaks new ground in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3,” Patrick Nava, the GM of adidas Running, said.
It’s one thing if a single person achieves a world-changing record. It’s another if multiple people do so in a single day while wearing the same game-changing gear.
WHAT MAKES THE ADIZERO ADIOS PRO EVO 3 SPECIAL?
The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 represents years of researching and developing the best marathon running shoes out there.
“Creating the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 pushed us to think differently from the very start. We weren’t just trying to improve on what we’d done before. We wanted to see how far we could go,” Nava said. “We went through more than a dozen iterations, working closely with our athletes and testing everywhere from our labs in Herzogenaurach to high-altitude camps in Kenya and Ethiopia.”
The supershoe incorporates refined key design elements, evolving from previous adidas marathon running shoes to support performance and comfort.
These include:
● Lightweight design: Made of foam, it is the first running shoe to weigh less than 100 grams, with an average weight of 97 grams.
● Comfort-minded: This same material is also soft and bouncy, reducing wear and tear on legs, knees, and joints from road running over long distances.
● Made for efficiency: The forward-tilted design provides a heel-to-toe drop that makes forefoot running easier, reducing the energy needed to push ahead with every step.
● Carbon innovation: The all-new carbon-integrated ENERGYRIM technology provides greater stiffness and stability, while minimising the energy spent moving from midfoot to forefoot, making it easier to propel yourself forward between strides.
All of this is thanks to advancements made in running technology, which are implemented within the shoe’s design.
1. Upper Material: The ultralightweight upper gives it a weightless yet perfectly supportive feel to minimize drag.
2. Lightstrike Pro Evo Foam: Next-gen Lightstrike Pro Evo Foam provides the best-in-class energy return.
3. New Stiffening Element: An all-new carbon fiber-infused Energyrim delivers tuned stiffness that increases the foam cushioning with each step you take.
4. Continental™ Outsole: An optimized outsole with Continental™ Rubber in the forefoot grants the lightest, most reliable traction possible.
FIND THE RIGHT ADIZERO RUNNING SHOE FOR YOU
The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is the perfect supershoe for long-distance road running.
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Faster times: Their lightweight, carbon design can help you shave seconds throughout your runs.
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A smoother run: The foam material reduces the impact on your body, allowing you to enjoy runs with less risk of injury.
- Better form: You’ll have the best form for saving energy, whether you’re in the first mile or your final sprint.
If you have running needs beyond these strengths, the Adizero franchise still offers several other options.
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For a versatile shoe that ensures a dry and comfortable run, go with the Adizero Boston 13. Its lightweight mesh upper and Lightstrike Pro cushioning give it a secure and responsive feel, whether you’re sprinting or jogging.
- For reliability and speed, choose the Adizero Evo SL. Its lightweight cushioning and design let you turn over your stride with swift efficiency and stability.
Whether you’re looking to shatter your personal best or going for an easy run, adidas marathon running shoes will always have your back.
Make your own history and buy a pair of Adizero Running shoes today.