Record-Breaking London Marathon Shoes Spark Resale Frenzy at 8x Retail Price
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 worn by Sawe, Kejelcha and Assefa fetch up to HK$32,360 on secondary markets
L'essentiel
- Sebastian Sawe became the first man to break two hours in the London Marathon, winning in 1:59:30 while wearing Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes.
- Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41 and Tigst Assefa set a women's-only world record of 2:15:41, all wearing the same 97-gram shoes.
- The trainers retail at HK$3,900 (US$500) but have sold on StockX for up to HK$32,360, sparking social media comparisons to gold pricing.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
The London Marathon is one of the world's six major marathons. Sebastian Sawe's sub-2-hour finish marks a significant achievement in marathon running, though it should be noted this was on a course certified as being 26 meters short of the standard marathon distance. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 represents the latest in lightweight running shoe technology, featuring carbon fiber that wraps around the midsole rather than traditional carbon-plated midsoles.
Sebastian Sawe became the first man to break two hours in the London Marathon on Sunday, winning in a time of one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. The Kenyan runner wore Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes, which weigh just 97 grams and have driven massive demand despite their premium price tag.
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, while compatriot Tigst Assefa smashed her own women-only world record in 2:15:41. Both also wore the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, with the trio's performances immediately driving demand for the shoe.
The trainers retail at around HK$3,900 (US$500) but have been offered on resale platform StockX from as much as HK$32,360 for some sizes, while others range from HK$9,680 to HK$20,090. "If you count it by the gram, these shoes are as expensive as gold," one social media user wrote.
The shoe had already attracted attention after debuting at the Tokyo Marathon Expo earlier this year because of its innovative design. Lighter than a piece of fruit, the shoe does not have the carbon-plated midsoles of many of its rivals, instead using carbon technology that wraps around the midsole, helping to maintain running economy and reduce overall weight.
On limited release since Monday, the shoes represent Adidas's latest attempt to push the boundaries of running shoe technology, though experts note that such equipment may not make the average runner significantly faster.
À surveiller
Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Adidas will likely announce increased production or a wider release of the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 within the next few months
Probable · En quelques mois
Competitor brands will accelerate development of ultra-lightweight racing shoes
Probable · En quelques mois
Questions ouvertes
- How many pairs of the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 were produced for the limited release
- Whether Adidas will increase production to meet demand
- If the shoe's performance benefits will be available to recreational runners
