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Adidas Boosts Running Revenue 19% on Marathon Shoe Success

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Adidas secured eight 2026 Marathon Majors wins with its Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes.
Adidas reported a 19% rise in running-sector revenue in its third-quarter earnings.
Adidas restocked the Evo 3 on Thursday for C$650, weighing 97 grams in size 9.5.
The Evo 3 powered Chicago Marathon winners Amos Kipruto (2:01:09) and Hawi Feysa (2:13:33).
Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa set 1:59:30 men’s and 2:15:41 women’s records in London with the Evo 3.

Summary

Adidas reported 14% currency-neutral performance revenue growth in Q3, driven by double-digit gains in Running, Training and Football.
Apparel revenues rose 19% currency-neutral, led by Originals and Football categories.
Direct-to-consumer net sales increased 17% in Q3, with e-commerce up 18% and own-retail up 16%.
CEO Bjørn Gulden warned lifestyle footwear faces excess inventory and heavy discounting, expecting a rebound by late 2027.

History

Nike introduced carbon-fiber-plated shoes in 2016 and released the retail Vaporfly line in 2017, sparking a surge of marathon records—15 of the 20 fastest were set after 2018. In 2019 Kipchoge completed the first sub-2-hour marathon wearing Nike’s Alphafly, prompting World Athletics to create a shoe-regulation panel. In 2026 Adidas used its Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 to dominate the Marathon Majors.

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Nike introduced carbon-fiber-plated shoes in 2016 and released the retail Vaporfly line in 2017, sparking a surge of marathon records—15 of the 20 fastest were set after 2018. In 2019 Kipchoge completed the first sub-2-hour marathon wearing Nike’s Alphafly, prompting World Athletics to create a shoe-regulation panel. In 2026 Adidas used its Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 to dominate the Marathon Majors.

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