The ASICS META : Time : Trials Thailand 2026 has wrapped up, and this year's edition was one for the history books. Held at Rama 8 Bridge & Park in Bangkok, the race marked its fifth anniversary in the biggest way possible: by receiving official World Athletics Road Race Label certification for the first time. For a race that began as a modest pilot event, this is a landmark achievement, and one that cements Bangkok's status as a serious stop on the regional road-running calendar.
From 300 Runners to a Regional Movement
It is easy to forget how far the ASICS META : Time : Trials has come. What started five years ago as a pilot event with just 300 runners has grown into a full-scale regional movement, drawing more than 5,000 general participants this year alone. Add to that 84 ASICS athletes and A-Racers, the brand's initiative to nurture the next generation of elite competitive runners, and you have a race that has genuinely earned its place on the map.
This year's elite lineup was also its most international yet, expanding beyond Southeast Asia to welcome athletes from Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Korea. All of them raced in the METASPEED TOKYO series, ASICS's racing shoe line built for speed on the road, and the results spoke for themselves: 10 personal bests were broken on the day.
Sanctioned by the Athletics Association of Thailand (AAT) and the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), the World Athletics-certified 10km course gave runners of every level a legitimate shot at a new personal best, all set against the buzz of the race village and its activities.
Trin Thanakittivara, Country Manager at ASICS Thailand Co., Ltd., reflected on the journey so far: "As we celebrate the fifth edition of the ASICS META : Time : Trials, it's incredible to see how far this race has come, from a pilot event of just 300 runners to a regional movement of thousands. This milestone is a testament to the passion of every runner who has shown up, pushed their limits, and made this race their own. Congratulations to everyone who crossed the finish line today. We're proud to be part of your journey, and even more excited for what the next chapter holds."
Men's Invitational Category Results
The men's invitational field delivered a tight battle at the front, with the podium decided by mere seconds:
- Gold: Rikki Marthin Luther Sombalin (Indonesia) — 30:20
- 1st Runner-up: Sonny Wagdos (Philippines) — 30:27 (PB)
- 2nd Runner-up: Zhao Xiangbo (China) — 30:35
Women's Invitational Category Results
In the women's invitational category, Vietnam's Thi Ngoc Hoa Hoang took the top spot, with the Philippines and Hong Kong rounding out the podium:
- Gold: Thi Ngoc Hoa Hoang (Vietnam) — 36:19
- 1st Runner-up: Artjoy Torregosa (Philippines) — 36:41
- 2nd Runner-up: Leanne Szeto (Hong Kong) — 37:11
Open Category Highlights
The Open Category proved just as competitive, with runners from across the region making their mark.
Men's top 3:
- Kindu Tiruneh — 31:31
- Somchot Kongdee
- Dillon Lee
Women's top 3:
- Thanaporn Phatthanot — 39:30
- Santy Phonepasith
- Phuong Dang
Malaysian ASICS athletes were also part of the action, competing in the 10km Invitational Men's and Women's categories, flying the flag for the country on the region's newest World Athletics-certified stage.
A Race Built to Help Runners Chase Their Limits
Beyond the medals and PBs, the ASICS META : Time : Trials Thailand continues to embody something bigger: ASICS's mission to help runners unlock their potential. The race gives everyone, from elite invitational athletes to first-time 10km finishers, a platform to challenge themselves and celebrate their love of the sport. It is also a reflection of the brand's broader commitment to designing high-quality running footwear for runners at every level.
With World Athletics Road Race Label status now secured, the ASICS META : Time : Trials Thailand has firmly established itself as one of the region's must-run events. Five editions in, the race has gone from a local experiment to a genuine gathering point for Southeast Asia's running community, and if this year is anything to go by, the next chapter is only going to get bigger.
Now for Malaysians, the next question we will be asking soon is....when will it be KL's turn to have this race?
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