11/14/2011

• Patrick Makau from Kenya runs the 42.195 km in a sensational time of 2:03.38 hours
• World record improved by 21 seconds on shoes with Continental rubber compound
• Record-breaking shoes adizero adios 2 available in stores soon

September 30, 2011. The 26-year-old Kenyan Patrick Makau set a new world record at the 38th Berlin Marathon: he crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate after covering the 42.195 kilometers in 2 hours, 3 minutes and 38 seconds, cutting a sensational 21 seconds off the previous record held by the Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie. 

On the way to his victory, Makau wore adidas shoes with a specially-developed Continental rubber compound, which guaranteed much better traction and thus less slip with every foot strike and in curves. “We are very proud that, with our rubber compound technology, we contributed to such a fantastic world record and are looking forward to further achievements in professional and amateur sports,” said David O’Donnell, who is in charge of the global research and development for passenger tires at Continental.

Makau first tested a sample of the adizero adios 2 just two days before the event and was so impressed with its performance that he ran the race with the shoes right off. After the race, Makau commented: “I could really feel the grip, which enabled me to accelerate in the curves.” The adizero adios 2 will hit the market in December 2011, but stores already carry running shoe models with Continental soles that provide extremely good grip, such as all adistar models.

Europe’s leading tire specialist and Europe’s leading manufacturer of sports articles pooled their know-how in the manufacturing process. The rubber compound of the tread sole came from Continental’s testing labs. Running shoes manufactured with such soles provide much better traction and running efficiency. The successful cooperation was started nearly two years ago.