In a city known for its dynamic energy and cutting-edge innovation, ASICS brought the streets of Tokyo to life with the Tokyo : Speed : Race—a high-octane showcase of speed, endurance, and athletic excellence.
With 125 elite athletes and over 2,700 amateur runners, this electrifying event wasn’t just a race—it was a celebration of human potential. Held beside the iconic Japan National Stadium, the race offered a fast, flat course perfect for chasing records. And chase records they did on 3 May 2025.
New Heights in Speed: National and Area Records Smashed
The 2025 edition of the Tokyo : Speed : Race saw an impressive three Area Records, ten National Records, and 48 Personal Bests set in just one day—solidifying the event’s status as one of the fastest road races in the world.
Nadia Battocletti of Italy stunned crowds by setting both a European and Italian record in the 5km with a time of 14:32.
In the 10km, Isobel Batt-Doyle set a double record for Australia with 30:44, while Abbabiya Simbassa of the USA clocked 27:32, securing an American Record.
Top honours went to:
- Caroline Nyaga (Kenya) – fastest woman in the 5km at 14:19
- Harbert Kibet (Uganda) – 5km men’s champion at 13:00
- Joy Cheptoyek (Uganda) – women’s 10km champion at 30:22
- Jemal Yimer (Ethiopia) – men’s 10km winner at 27:10
Malaysian Athletes Shine on the Global Stage
Flying the Jalur Gemilang high were Vimal Govendarajoo and Allison Yee, representing Malaysia among some of the world's best.
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| credit: aaronwongys |
Vimal, a national elite from Taiping, delivered a solid performance in the Elite Men’s 10km, finishing with a time of 32:40.
Making her 5km debut, Allison Yee, ASICS Malaysia’s Brand Ambassador, impressed with a personal best of 20:09, finishing 3rd in the General Category.
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| credit: Bukan Run Club |
Their presence marked a significant milestone for Malaysian endurance sports, inspiring a new generation of runners to dream beyond borders.
METASPEED™ Tokyo Series: Running Innovation at its Peak
Every record and personal best was achieved in ASICS’ latest METASPEED™ Tokyo Series—a trio of cutting-edge racing shoes designed with feedback from over 100 elite athletes. Featuring the METASPEED™ RAY, SKY TOKYO, and EDGE TOKYO, these shoes are engineered to match individual running styles for maximum efficiency and speed.
Developed by the ASICS Institute of Sport Science, the METASPEED™ Tokyo Series exemplifies the brand’s commitment to supporting athletes not just in performance, but in how they feel during every stride.
A Lifestyle of Movement and Motivation
The Tokyo : Speed : Race wasn’t just for pros. Runners of all levels participated in additional events like the half-marathon relay, children’s challenge, and even a Deaflympics-led experience. The 1K family run was a fan-favourite, bringing together generations with a shared love for movement.
From elite breakthroughs to first-time milestones, the atmosphere buzzed with the mantra: “Feel Speed, Find Confidence.”
"The Tokyo : Speed : Race was an exciting event where athletes of all levels came together to push their speed limits. Our ongoing partnership with ASICS has once again created an event that highlights the power of running and the shared commitment to growing the sport. Looking ahead to the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, the momentum from this event will help build even more excitement and anticipation for what’s sure to be a monumental year in Tokyo.” said Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics.
Olivier Mignon, Director of Sports Marketing at ASICS shared, “The Tokyo : Speed : Race was a true celebration of what speed can unlock—not just in performance, but in confidence. From elite records to personal breakthroughs, the event truly embodied the spirit of ‘Feel Speed, Find Confidence,’ highlighted by the standout performances of so many athletes who broke personal, National and Area records. We are proud of every runner who made this a memorable and uplifting celebration of what running can achieve.”
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