The world of marathon running witnessed a historic moment at the London Marathon as Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe shattered the two-hour barrier. He completed the 26.2-mile course in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds.

Record-Breaking Performance

Sawe’s remarkable feat surpasses the previous record by over a minute, immediately sparking discussion about the factors contributing to his success. The key appears to be his footwear: the newly released adidas ADIZERO Adios Pro Evo 3 ‘super shoe’.

The ADIZERO Adios Pro Evo 3

This cutting-edge shoe, weighing a mere 99 grams, represents adidas’ first sub-100g running shoe and is designed for single-use competition. Its innovative design incorporates a rigid carbon-based structure engineered to provide a ‘spring-like’ bounce, enhancing each stride and propelling runners forward with increased efficiency.

Evolution of 'Supershoes'

The development of this ‘supershoe’ follows a period of scrutiny and rule changes within World Athletics. The original supershoe, Nike’s Alphafly, faced initial bans after aiding Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon run in non-race conditions. Revised regulations now permit their use in competitions, provided they adhere to specific criteria – a maximum of one carbon-fibre plate and a midsole height not exceeding 40mm.

Years of Research and Development

The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, unveiled just days before the London Marathon, is the result of three years of dedicated research and development. Adidas successfully reduced the weight from the previous model, the Evo 2 (138g), by an impressive 39 grams, achieving their goal of a sub-100g shoe with superior performance.

Lightweight Design

This weight reduction was accomplished through the use of their lightest foam yet, Lightstrike Pro Evo, which maximizes cushioning, propulsion, and energy return, combined with a carbon-integrated system for stability. Adidas meticulously refined every component, from laces to stitching, to achieve marginal gains.

Adidas and Athlete Reactions

Patrick Nava, General Manager at adidas Running, expressed immense pride in Sawe’s achievements, attributing his success to years of hard work, dedication, and the innovative design of the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Sawe himself credited ‘the role of innovation’ in his record-breaking performance, acknowledging the contribution of the shoe in helping him surpass his limits.

Rigorous Testing

The creation of this shoe involved over a dozen iterations, rigorous testing in labs and high-altitude training camps, and precise measurements down to the nanogram, demonstrating Adidas’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of athletic performance. The Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 is currently available for purchase at £450.