Sibusiso Kubheka has achieved the seemingly impossible, becoming the first person to complete a 100km run in under six hours, stopping the clock in an astonishing 5:59:20. This monumental feat took place during adidas’ groundbreaking ‘Chasing 100’ project, a unique event designed to push the boundaries of human endurance when combined with cutting-edge sports innovation.
The historic run unfolded at the iconic Nardò Ring in Southern Italy, a venue chosen for its ideal conditions for record-breaking attempts. The ‘Chasing 100’ project brought together some of the fastest endurance athletes on the planet, equipping them with specially designed adidas footwear and apparel. These bespoke technologies, precision-engineered and custom-tailored for each athlete, were crucial in enabling the unprecedented speed witnessed.
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Born in 1997 and now 27 years old, Sibusiso Kubheka’s incredible performance saw him shave 6 minutes and 15 seconds off the previous fastest time of 06:05:35, firmly etching his name into the history books. His pace was relentless equivalent to running ten consecutive 10km races in an average of 35:56 each, without a single pause.
Central to this achievement was the integration of adidas’ latest innovations, including the revolutionary Adizero Evo Prime X shoe. This state-of-the-art footwear, along with advanced apparel, provided the marginal gains necessary for athletes to transcend previous limitations.
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Speaking of his history-making performance, the new 100km record breaker Sibusiso Kubheka expressed his immense pride: “I’m so proud of my performance out there today. Breaking this record and becoming the first person to run 100km in under 6 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.”
Alasdhair Willis, Chief Creative Officer at adidas, said: “Chasing 100 is the story of our deep-rooted drive to go faster. An opportunity to see what’s possible when we work at speed, break new boundaries in design, and test new possibilities in footwear and apparel. Kubheka’s history-defining performance – achieving something no one has ever come close to – is an immense achievement that we are incredibly proud of. This is a true testament to the power of combining adidas Innovation with the very best of athletic prowess to push the limits of human capability forward.”
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The ‘Chasing 100’ event also saw other incredible performances. While Kubheka claimed the top spot, both Charlie Lawrence and Aleksandr Sorokin also managed to beat the previously established fastest time, a record held by Sorokin himself. The final results underscore the exceptional talent and the advanced technological support at play:
- Sibusiso Kubheka: 5:59:20
- Charlie Lawrence: 6:03:47
- Aleksandr Sorokin: 6:04:10
This event not only celebrates an individual’s extraordinary endurance but also highlights the powerful synergy between human athletic prowess and advanced sports science. Kubheka’s sub-6-hour 100km run will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of ultrarunners and redefine what is considered possible in the world of extreme endurance sports.
Aleksandr Sorokin’s world record 6:05 was set on a certified, properly measured course, using shoes that conformed to World Athletic standards. He subsequently passed a drug test.
As far as I am aware none of these key requirements were met in the Italian exhibition event.