South African runner Sibusiso Kubheka has become the first person to complete 100 kilometres in under six hours. He clocked 5:59:20 at the Chasing 100 event in Southern Italy. The performance shaved more than six minutes off the previous fastest time of 6:05:35. This achievement cemented his name in the history books.
The event was staged at the iconic Nardò Ring and powered by adidas. It brought together some of the world’s fastest endurance athletes with cutting-edge performance technology.
The adidas Advantage
Kubheka and four other elite athletes wore precision-engineered adidas apparel and footwear. These were built specifically for this challenge. The star of the innovation lineup was the Adizero Evo Prime X. It is a shoe tailored individually to each runner with a responsive midsole and calibrated cushioning. Additionally, it features a stiffened structure tuned to individual biomechanics.
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The shoes were enhanced with adidas’ new Ultracharge technology. In this process, air bubbles were pumped into the midsole foam under high pressure to boost energy return.
To manage heat, runners used the CLIMACOOL Pre-Cooling and Per-Cooling System. It included cooling vests, fan jackets, and custom neck coolers designed to regulate core temperature and heart rate during the race.
They also debuted the Clima 3D singlet with body-mapped airflow zones. Moreover, the TechFit short tight was engineered with stabilising bands for endurance under fatigue. These next-generation products will roll out publicly in 2026.
Record-Breaking Results
Kubheka was not the only runner to beat the existing record. American Charlie Lawrence and Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin also finished under the previous best mark. This proved just how effective the innovations were.
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“I’m so proud of my performance today. Breaking this record and becoming the first person to run 100km in under six hours was not easy, but thanks to adidas’ partnership, belief and bespoke technologies, we made it happen. When we combine the best athletes, the right preparation and sports innovation, anything is possible.”
Final results:
- Sibusiso Kubheka, 5:59:20
- Charlie Lawrence, 6:03:47
- Aleksandr Sorokin, 6:04:10
Alasdhair Willis, Chief Creative Officer at adidas, added:
“Kubheka’s history-defining performance is an immense achievement. It shows what is possible when world-class athletes are paired with breakthrough innovation in design, footwear and apparel.”
