On Saturday 29th April, at the adidas ADIZERO: ROAD TO RECORDS 2023 event, two Under 20 World Records were broken across the women’s 5KM and 10KM (women’s only), whilst six National Records and one Regional Record fell.
For the third edition of the ADIZERO: ROAD TO RECORDS event, elite adidas athletes from around the world competed over 5km, 10km and half-marathon distances in pursuit of fast times, wearing shoes from the record-breaking ADIZERO franchise. Races took place over a specially-designed course on the adidas HQ World of Sport campus in Herzogenaurach, Germany. All races were broadcast on the adidas running YouTube channel, where viewers were able to watch the action unfold live.
Kicking off the event in style, Bertukan Welde Sura introduced herself on the world stage as, aged just 18, she won her first ever half marathon after a fierce battle between three Ethiopians all the way home, finishing with a time of 1:07:44. And it was a day to see the future as in the men’s half marathon, 20-year-old Tadese Takele stormed to a hugely impressive win in 1:00:04.
In the women’s 10K, a new Under 20 World Record was set with Senayet Getachew making history aged only 17, crossing the finish line in a time of 30:34. Meanwhile, three National Records fell in the same race with Joan Chelimo Melly smashing the Romanian National Record with a time of 31:21 and Angelika Mach breaking a Polish National Record, setting the new high for a women’s only race, running home in 34:01 – taking 1:33 off her PB. Also in the women’s 10K, Sanna Mustonen became Sweden’s new standard-bearer for a woman’s-only race, bringing it home in 35:22, whilst Lo Chiu Ying set a new women’s only Hong Kong Regional Record, with a time of 36:55.
In the men’s 10K, Kenyan Sabastian Sawe dominated world record holders past and present, knocking five seconds off his personal best to take victory in 26:49 – the fifth fastest 10KM in world history.
The men’s and women’s 5K closed out the day and another World Record fell, with Medina Eisa Kumanda setting a new Under 20 World Record (women’s only) with a time of 14:46, beating off her fellow compatriots to storm to victory and write her name into the history books. She crossed the finish line ahead of Senbere Teferi, who came in second place, and Girmawit Gebrzihair who set a new PB with a time of 00:14:48.
And in the men’s 5K, Birhanu Balew came from behind to win on the last stretch, crossing the finish line with a time of 00:13:06 – the third fastest time in the world this year and a National Record. In the same race, Rodrigue Kwizrea set a new record for his country with the Burundian finishing with a time of 00:13:11. The 10KM South African National Record also fell with Ryan Mphalele coming in fifth place with a time of 00:13:24, slashing 0:06 off the previous best.
Competing athletes on the day wore shoes from adidas’ ADIZERO franchise, to celebrate the legacy behind the franchise responsible for nine World Records in the last two years. The ADIZERO franchise is adidas’ fast-running family, offering shoes to suit any ambitious runners’ needs. Athletes opted for either the ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 2 or ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 3 for the half-marathon and the ADIZERO TAKUMI SEN 9 for the 5k and 10k. The ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 2, ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 3 and ADIZERO TAKUMI SEN 9 are available to buy now via the adidas app, online and in-stores globally.
Senayet Getachew winner of the women’s 10K and the new Under 20 World Record (women’s only) holder commented: “ADIZERO: ROAD TO RECORDS is always such an exciting event to be a part of. We all pushed ourselves out there today, and I am so proud to have come away with the win and a new Under 20 World Record. A lot of hard work has gone into this performance – today is a very special moment for me. I can’t wait to come back next year and defend my title!”
After the elite races concluded, there was a public 5k run which was open to adidas employees, partners, adidas Runners and members of the public. Over 1500 people took part in the event, held on the same course as the elite races around the adidas campus, celebrating running for all. The atmosphere was electric as the swarm of runners took over campus, met with crowds of supporters and headed up by sub-packs of adidas Runners throughout the race, chanting and using megaphones to keep the energy high from start to finish.
Alberto Uncini Manganelli, General Manager Running & Credibility Sports at adidas, said: “Everything we do is born from an unstoppable passion for winning. It’s from the belief that we can make a real difference. And this year’s ADIZERO: ROAD TO RECORDS event has shown that the ADIZERO franchise is designed to help runners perform at their very best, achieving beyond what they thought was possible. Seeing two World Records being broken and six National Records being set is one of the most exhilarating experiences. You are literally watching history books being rewritten. Having these records broken on our own campus makes today extra special, and will give us a huge boost of motivation as we continue to develop the best products for our running community.”
Header image: Medina Eisa Kumanda setting a new Under 20 5K World Record (women’s only) with a time of 14:46.
