Adidas Shares Rise After Record-Breaking London Marathon Wins
Shares of German sportswear giant Adidas climbed after record-breaking performances at the London Marathon highlighted the brand’s latest running technology.
Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe made history by becoming the first man to complete an official marathon in under two hours, finishing with a time of 1:59:30. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha followed closely with 1:59:41, while compatriot Tigist Assefa set a women-only world record of 2:15:41.
All three athletes wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a lightweight model recently introduced by the company. The performances provided a boost for Adidas shares, which rose by nearly 2% in early trading in Frankfurt before settling slightly lower.
Analysts say the results are significant for Adidas as it looks to strengthen its position in the competitive running market. According to Deutsche Bank analyst Adam Cochrane, the visibility from such high-profile races offers “an important milestone for a successful rebuild” of the brand’s running segment.
The development also marks a competitive win for Adidas over rival Nike, which has historically dominated long-distance running headlines. Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge had previously broken the two-hour barrier in 2019 under controlled conditions, though the time was not officially recognised.
Sawe’s achievement surpasses the previous official world record set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Adidas executives credited the milestone to years of research and development, noting that the performances underscore the brand’s innovation in athletic footwear. The company is now expected to leverage the momentum to drive broader consumer demand among both professional and recreational runners.
Despite the recent gains, Adidas shares remain down for the year, reflecting broader challenges including tariff pressures and softer sales in some international markets.
