Sabastian Sawe has shattered the two-hour marathon barrier, becoming the first man to achieve this feat in an official race at the London Marathon. Sawe, running in Adidas's Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes, completed the course in 1:59:30, surpassing the previous world record.
Despite the remarkable achievement, Sawe dismissed claims that his footwear constitutes "mechanical doping." He stated the shoes were approved and comfortable, contributing to his performance. This technological advancement in running shoes has transformed distance running over the last decade.
In the women's race, Tigst Assefa also broke her own women's-only world record, winning the London Marathon in the same Adidas model worn by Sawe. Assefa aims for the all-time women's marathon world record in the future.
The debate around advanced footwear in athletics intensified with Sawe's record. Critics argue that the shoes provide an unfair advantage by storing and returning energy, effectively altering the sport's historical context. World Athletics attempted to regulate the technology in 2020, capping sole thickness and limiting plates to balance innovation with fair competition. However, Sunday's results suggest the impact of these shoes continues to push boundaries.