3 Runners Break World Records in the Same Adidas Shoe

When three different runners break world records at the same race, you have to wonder what they're doing right.

On April 26, the London Marathon became the stage for one of the most remarkable days in running history. Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crossed the finish line in 1:59:30, making him the first person to run a sub-two-hour half marathon in an official race. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished just seconds behind at 1:59:41, while fellow Ethiopian Tigist Assefa set a women's world record of 2:15:41.

The common thread? All three wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.

Adidas announced the shoe just three days before the marathon on April 23. It launched in limited quantities on April 25 and sold out almost immediately online. A wider release is planned for fall, giving everyday runners a chance to experience what elite athletes are already calling a game changer.

The shoe weighs just 97 grams, making it one of the lightest performance running shoes ever created. It features four carefully engineered layers: a lightweight upper material, custom Lightstrike Pro Evo Foam, a carbon stiffening element called the Energyrim, and a minimal rubber outsole. Every component was designed to maximize speed while keeping weight nearly nonexistent.

The Evo 3 represents the latest evolution in Adidas's Adizero Adios Pro Evo collection, which launched in 2023 specifically for long-distance racing. Athletes wearing shoes from this collection have already broken three world records and won over 30 major road races, including six World Marathon Majors, seven national records, and one Olympic record time.

The Ripple Effect

These record-breaking moments are doing more than making headlines. They're pushing the boundaries of what scientists and coaches thought was physically possible for human endurance. When athletes break through previous limits, they inspire the next generation to dream bigger and train smarter.

The technology developed for elite runners often trickles down to everyday athletes too. Within months, recreational runners will have access to the same innovations that helped break world records, making personal bests more achievable for weekend warriors and fitness enthusiasts.

For Adidas, this London Marathon sweep marks a powerful comeback after losing its Yeezy partnership in 2022. The company reported an operating profit of around $2.4 billion in 2025, a 54 percent increase over the previous year. Smart collaborations with artists like Bad Bunny and designers like Grace Wales Bonner have helped, but moments like this prove that innovation still wins races.

Sometimes the difference between good and extraordinary comes down to 97 grams of brilliantly engineered materials and the courage to push past what seems possible.