Adidas claims new speedsuit used in sub-2 hour London Marathon improves running economy by more than 1 percent

May 22, 2026

Adidas has unveiled a new racing “speedsuit” worn by the elite marathoner who broke the two‑hour barrier at the London Marathon, claiming it improves running economy by more than 1 percent. The suit is part of a broader package of gear and shoe innovations the company says was pivotal in helping the athlete run under 120 minutes for 42.195 kilometers.

According to the company, the suit is made from lightweight, aerodynamic textiles originally developed for other sports and industrial applications, which reduce drag and help the runner maintain a faster pace with slightly less energy cost. This 1‑percent+ boost in efficiency is framed as a “marginal gain,” but over the full marathon distance the effect can translate into several minutes saved, enough to push performance across a historic threshold.

The speedsuit is paired with an ultra‑light, carbon‑plated racing shoe that Adidas says improves running economy by around 1.6 percent compared with its prior flagship model. Between the lighter shoe and the suit’s aerodynamic design, Adidas emphasizes that the cumulative effect of these small gains is what helped the athlete become the first runner to go under two hours in a sanctioned marathon. LR