This record-breaking shoe is now worth $5,000 It's the brand new Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
Sabastian Sawe became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours. At the 2026 edition of the marathon in London, the Kenyan covered the classic 42.2 kilometers in 1:59:30. It’s a historic result that Sawe was able to achieve also thanks to the support of his main sponsor, adidas. First and foremost, the brand worked to protect Sawe’s integrity. Following the suspension in July 2025 for doping of Ruth Chepngetich—who had set the half marathon world record just weeks earlier—Sawe decided to undergo an intensive series of anti-doping tests ahead of the Berlin Marathon. In total, there were 25 tests at a cost of €50,000, entirely covered by adidas.
Sawe followed this testing program because Berlin was the venue for his first attempt at the marathon world record. The attempt failed, but that operation gave him a level of credibility such that today no one can question the record set in London. Secondly, adidas played a decisive role in another key area: the shoes.
The lightest running shoe ever
On the eve of the London Marathon, adidas unveiled the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3: the lightest running shoe ever made, the first in the history of running to weigh less than 100 grams. A shoe featuring ultra-light cushioning generated by ENERGYGRIM, adidas’ solution to eliminate carbon fiber plates. "The big difference is that it’s incredibly light and very comfortable," Sawe said the day after the marathon.
Sawe’s record will inevitably have repercussions in the running shoe industry, with adidas now enjoying a leadership position over Nike—which had dominated the running world for decades thanks to the Vaporfly—and other competitors such as On. Today, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 has become the benchmark for the sector, and demand has skyrocketed, triggering an emulation effect that has driven prices up dramatically. In fact, Sawe wasn’t the only runner to finish the London Marathon under two hours: the runner-up, Yomif Kejelcha, also broke the two-hour barrier while wearing the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.
How much do the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 cost?
The launch price of the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 was set at €500, but in the hours following the London Marathon, resale market prices skyrocketed, in some cases reaching nearly €5,000. On one hand, this clashes with the new philosophy of running, which has fueled the rise of running clubs where running becomes a moment of sharing and relaxation, detached from the competitive dimension that also defines training.
However, looking at the situation from another perspective, it’s clear that in the running world the idea persists that, at any level, the latest technological innovations are considered essential. It’s also fair to assume that those spending between €1,000 and €5,000 on a pair of running shoes are not doing so for a simple jog or a casual run with friends. Rather, this is the profile of a runner who regularly participates in amateur or semi-competitive races, often with the goal of competing in prestigious events such as the marathons of New York or Boston. Someone aiming to emulate Sawe by chasing a record, even if only a personal one.