From the moment you lace up your trainers, the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race promises to ignite both mind and body with a shot of pure speed adrenaline.
Come Saturday, 3 May, Tokyo’s streets will transform into a high-octane circuit as ASICS partners with World Athletics to host its first-ever ASICS Tokyo Speed Race, right next to the iconic Japan National Stadium.
A Circuit of Speed and Dreams
Imagine a one-kilometre loop so flat and fast that even your shadow might struggle to keep up. That’s precisely what ASICS has crafted beside the forthcoming World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 venue, with the finish line framed by the stately Meiji Memorial Museum.
It’s the sort of course that makes you feel invincible—like discovering a hidden downhill on your favourite trail (except it’s strictly level ground here).
Runners at every level—from casual joggers to record-hungry elites—will taste that electric buzz of chasing personal bests.
Elite Meets Amateur on the Fastest Loop
Roughly 120 world-class athletes will toe the line with sights set on smashing world, national, and personal records across 5K and 10K distances.
Just behind them, about 2,750 enthusiastic mass participants will ply the same pavement in a bid for glory—be it in the solo 5K or as part of a half-marathon relay team.
Meanwhile, families can share the thrill in a dedicated 1K fun run, young runners can tackle a children’s challenge, and even the Deaf community will have its own race experience led by The Deaflympics. If I’ve learned one thing from standing at countless start lines, it’s that the true victory lies in that final kick, no matter your pace.
More Than Sneakers: A Shoe Revolution
ASICS has never been one to simply churn out another pair of trainers. Founded on the post-war credo of “Sound Mind In A Sound Body,” the brand sees speed as an emotional state as much as a physical feat.
Which brings us to the big reveal: at the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race, the company will lift the curtain on its latest pinnacle racing shoes.
Early social-media teasers have already sparked chatter among shoe geeks and weekend warriors alike. These new models promise a human-centric design, tailored to distinct running styles and biomechanical needs—essentially, a bespoke chassis for your feet that will make you feel like you’re striding on clouds with spring-loaded rockets.
“We are excited to welcome our athletes taking part in the Tokyo : Speed : Race, all of whom we wish the best of luck for the race. Following careful organisation, we believe we have given the runners the best chance to experience new levels of speed, harnessing the power of ASICS’ latest product innovations.
Since 1949, ASICS has created products that feel best for body and mind, and these latest product innovations are the ultimate proof point of our relentless focus on human-centric design, biomechanical science, and decades of continuous innovation.”
Reading Yasuhito Hirota’s words, it’s clear this isn’t mere marketing: it’s decades of research and a dash of daring rolled into one.
Global Viewing: Stream Live
Can’t make it to Tokyo? No worries—tune in from anywhere at 7:00 PM JST on World Athletics’ YouTube channel for free, live coverage of the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race.
Whether you’re watching from your sofa or squeezing in viewing on a treadmill, you’ll witness runners from all walks of life chasing that elusive rush of speed and confidence.
(And if you spot someone sprinting like they’ve just been told the finish line is made of sushi, you know you’re in the right place.)
With its blend of elite competition, mass participation fun, and a sneak peek at groundbreaking footwear, the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race is more than a run—it’s a celebration of everything that makes us move. Lace up, lean in, and get ready to feel speed like never before.
To find out more about the Tokyo : Speed : Race and the latest ASICS products, please visit the hub http://asics.tv/tokyo or asics.com.
