The adidas Adizero: Road to Records 2024 race event, held at the brand’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany this weekend, saw 12 records reset, including a new World Record in the men’s 1 Mile race, two U20 World Record in the 5km race and 1-mile respectively, and nine national records.
In its inaugural year, the 1-mile race was off to a history-making start with a new world record set by Emmanuel Wanyonyi in the men’s race, who came in first in just 3:54:50. In the same race, Ryan Mphahlele set a new national record for South Africa in 3:56.4, while Collins Kibiwott Koech set a new U20 world record in 4:00.10.
After the race, Emmanuel commented: “Coming away with a new world record is an amazing feeling. Being surrounded by all of my peers and seeing the determination from everyone to push beyond boundaries of what’s been achieved previously – is an indescribable sight to put into words. Today was a tough one and I was up against a lot of great athletes, so I’m pleased to able to walk away with this win and will hopefully be able to come back next year and uphold my title.”
In the women’s 1-mile race, Emine Hatun Tuna Mechaal set a new national record for Turkey in 4:41.40, while Alexandra Bell set a new national record for England in 4:32:60.
In the 5km women’s race, Medina Eisa set a groundbreaking pace, maintaining the lead until finish, breaking the U20 World Record in a time of 14:38. At just 19 years old, Medina secured back-to-back victories at Adizero: Road to Records in the 5km distance. Aside from the astonishing new U20 World Record – several national records were broken too. Anastasia Marinakou set the fastest time for Greece, finishing in just 15:50, taking 26 seconds of her PB. Meanwhile in the men’s 5km race, Thierry Ndikumwenayo set a new record for Spain in 13:17 and Shim JongSub gained a new record for Korea in 15:29.
In the men’s 10km race, Yeman Crippa set a new Italian national record of 27:08. The 10km women’s race was up next, which saw Agnes Jebet Ngetich take to the roads just weeks after having broken the world record in Valencia. She sealed her title as the world’s leading female road competitor as she took the win in just 30:03. The women’s 10k race also saw Karoline Grovdal set a new national record for Norway in 30:52, while Joan Chelimo broke Romania’s national record in 30:52 – taking 29 seconds of her personal best.
To ensure viewers from across the globe to follow the live action, all races were broadcast on the adidas running YouTube channel.
All athletes competed in the Takumi Sen 10, in a design inspired by one worn by the late Agnes Tirop when she broke the women-only 10km world record at Adizero: Road to Records in 2021.
