Sports · Other Sports · 11 hrs ago
Adidas led 2026 marathon wins as shoe rivalry reached New York
Adidas won eight of the first 12 Major races in the 2026 World Marathon Majors season before the New York City Marathon, the final race.
Nike had two wins, with ASICS and Under Armour taking one each.
The season’s results gave Adidas a clear lead that New York could not erase.
Its lightweight Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 was worn by Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe when he ran 1:59:30 in London, becoming the first man to officially break two hours in a marathon.
The shoe costs about $500 and weighs 97 grams, and its performance helped draw attention to the growing competition between major running brands.
Adidas reported a 19% rise in running revenue in the third quarter, while more runners are buying expensive racing shoes.
The New York race closed the 2026 series, but the supplied coverage does not give its results.
Adidas had eight wins across the first six 2026 World Marathon Majors, compared with two for Nike and one each for ASICS and Under Armour.
Adidas also claimed 20 of the 36 available podium places before the New York City Marathon, according to Sneaker Freaker.
The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, priced at about $500 or €500 in the respective reports, weighs 97 grams in a cited size.
At the New York City Marathon, Nike won the men’s race with Swedish runner Andreas Almgren wearing its Apex shoe, Sneaker Freaker reported.
La Gazzetta dello Sport described the New York race as the final Major still to come when its article was published.
- Who
- Adidas and Nike, whose super shoes are competing for prominence in marathon racing.
- What
- Adidas led the 2026 World Marathon Majors shoe competition before New York, while Nike won the men’s New York race, according to Sneaker Freaker.
- When
- The articles were published on October 30, 31 and November 2, 2026; La Gazzetta described the New York race as taking place the next day.
- Where
- The World Marathon Majors, including the New York City Marathon.
- Why
- The brands are competing as records fall and participation and business in running shoes grow, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
Adidas
Nike
2026 Major wins before New York
Adidas
Adidas had eight wins across the first six Majors.
Nike
Nike had two wins across the first six Majors.
New York men’s race
Adidas
Adidas had already secured the season’s lead in Major wins before the final race.
Nike
Nike won the New York men’s race with Andreas Almgren wearing the Apex, according to Sneaker Freaker.
Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, becoming the first man to officially break two hours, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Tigst Assefa set a Berlin course record of 2:11:04, according to Sneaker Freaker.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the New York City Marathon was scheduled for the next day and would be the seventh and final Major.
Sneaker Freaker reported that Nike’s Apex won the New York men’s race with Andreas Almgren.
- Adidas Major wins before New York
- 8
- Nike Major wins before New York
- 2
- Other brands’ wins
- ASICS: 1; Under Armour: 1
- Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 weight
- 97 grams
- Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 price
- About $500 or €500, as reported by the two outlets
- Sabastian Sawe’s London time
- 1:59:30