In an astonishing display of endurance and unconventional choice, Russian athlete Iskander Yadgarov successfully completed the Berlin Marathon while wearing Crocs shoes. Defying traditional running wisdom, Yadgarov crossed the finish line of the demanding 42.195-kilometer race in an impressive time of 2 hours, 30 minutes, and 3 seconds on September 27.
This was not Yadgarov’s first foray into racing with non-standard footwear. Throughout his career, the seasoned Russian runner has been known to opt for casual or lightweight shoes that are typically not designed for long-distance running. His decision to tackle the Berlin Marathon in Crocs footwear continued this unique tradition.
Prior to the event, Yadgarov had publicly declared his audacious goal on social media, stating, “I came to Berlin to break the marathon world record by wearing Crocs shoes!” While he didn’t achieve a world record, the 35-year-old sprinter certainly turned heads and achieved his personal goal of completing the marathon in his chosen footwear.
Despite his personal success, Yadgarov has issued a cautionary note to aspiring runners. He emphasized that attempting to run a marathon in non-technical footwear like Crocs can pose significant dangers, particularly for individuals who lack extensive training and preparation.
Separately, in the 2026 Berlin Marathon, Ethiopian runner Guye Adola secured the win with a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 50 seconds. His compatriot Gemechu Dida Diriba followed in second place, finishing in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 19 seconds. The third spot on the podium went to Tanzania’s Gabriel Gerald Geay, who completed the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 59 seconds.
