Adidas shares rise after sub-two-hour marathon record

Sawe shattered the world record by 65 seconds, while runner-up Yomif Kejelcha also broke two hours, finishing in 1:59:41.espn+1
Defending champion Tigst Assefa set a women-only world record of 2:15:41; all top three women ran under 2:16 for the first time ever.londonmarathonevents
Adidas shares climbed Monday after all record-setters wore its 97-gram Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, the lightest elite marathon shoe ever made, according to Reuters.reuters+1

Shares of Adidas rose on Monday after athletes wearing the company's new Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 racing shoe delivered a historic performance at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, including the first official sub-two-hour marathon in history.

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crossed the finish line on Sunday in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the previous world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum by 65 seconds and becoming the first man to break the two-hour barrier in a sanctioned race. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, meaning two men ran under two hours in the same competition. In the women's race, defending champion Tigst Assefa set a new women-only world record of 2:15:41, with the top three women all finishing under 2:16 for the first time in marathon history.londonmarathonevents+2

All three record-setters wore the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Adidas shares climbed approximately 1.2% on Monday following the results, according to Reuters.globalbankingandfinance+2

The Shoe Behind the Records

The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is the first elite marathon racing shoe to weigh under 100 grams, coming in at roughly 97 grams — less than half the weight of most competing "super shoes," which typically range from 180 to 220 grams. The shoe features Adidas' Lightstrike Pro Evo midsole foam, which the company says is 50% lighter than standard racing compounds while delivering higher energy return. A carbon-integrated system called ENERGYRIM replaces the brand's earlier EnergyRods.ndtvprofit

The shoe operates within World Athletics regulations, with a 39mm heel stack and 36mm forefoot stack. Runner's World reported that the Evo 3 is 30% lighter than its predecessor with 1.6% better running economy.runnersworld+1

From the Track to the Market

The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 retails for approximately $500 and has so far been available only through limited-edition drops. Adidas is releasing a small batch on April 27, with a wider launch planned for the fall marathon season.soleretriever+2

The London performance caps a run of dominance for the Adizero franchise, which Adidas says has been worn during three world record performances and more than 30 major road race victories since launching in September 2023. The results also mark a challenge to Nike , whose Vaporfly and Alphafly lines had long set the standard in elite marathon footwear.runnersworld

Sawe's record is subject to official ratification by World Athletics.espn

Sources (15)