The ASICS Tokyo Speed Race roared through the heart of Japan’s capital, as 125 elite athletes transformed city streets into a high-voltage runway of record-breaking performances.
From blistering 5km sprints to tactical 10km drives, runners in the new METASPEED™ Tokyo Series shattered barriers—and three Area Records—proof that speed, when coaxed out by cutting-edge footwear, can rewrite the record books.
Records Fall Like Cherry Blossoms in Spring
In a World Athletics–certified showdown, competitors in the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race delivered three new continental benchmarks, ten national bests and 48 personal milestones. Highlights included:
- 5km Europe & Italy: Nadia Battocletti’s 14:32 earned her both a European and Italian National Record.
- 10km Australia: Isobel Batt-Doyle’s 30:44 not only reset Australia’s best but blossomed into a fresh Area Record, while compatriot Sam Clifford blazed a 27:34.
- 10km America & France: Ethiopia-born Simbassa Abbabiya clocked 27:32 to claim the American Record; Mekdes Woldu’s 31:01 set France’s new high-water mark.
Headliners and Heart-Starters
In the men’s 5km, Uganda’s Harbert Kibet stormed home in 13:00, with Caroline Nyaga of Kenya smashing her own personal best (14:19) to take the women’s crown. On the longer haul:
- 10km Women: Joy Cheptoyek of Uganda crossed the line in 30:22.
- 10km Men: Ethiopia’s Jemal Yimer led the charge at 27:10.
Every athlete in today’s ASICS Tokyo Speed Race donned one of three models from the METASPEED™ Tokyo Series—RAY, SKY TOKYO or EDGE TOKYO—each honed by the ASICS Institute of Sport Science and over one hundred world-class testers.
“Feel Speed, Find Confidence” in Every Stride
No gimmicks here—just meticulous design anchored in athlete feedback. “The Tokyo : Speed : Race was a true celebration of what speed can unlock — not just in performance, but in confidence,” said Olivier Mignon, Director of Sports Marketing at ASICS.
“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.”
A Partnership Forged on Fast Tracks
Jon Ridgeon, CEO of World Athletics, underlined the collaboration’s impact: “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.”
Top Five Finishers – A Snapshot
Men’s 10km
- Jemal Yimer (ETH) – 27:10
- Victor Kipruto (KEN) – 27:11
- Vincent Kibet Langat (KEN) – 27:11
- Amos Langat (KEN) – 27:25
- Abbabiya Simbassa (USA) – 27:32 (AR/NR/PB)
Women’s 10km
- Joy Cheptoyek (UGA) – 30:22
- Samiyah Hassan Nour (DJI) – 30:40 (NR/PB)
- Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) – 30:44 (AR/NR/PB)
- Rebecca Chelangat (UGA) – 30:59
- Emma Grace Hurley (USA) – 31:00
Men’s 5km
- Harbert Kibet (UGA) – 13:00
- Ismail Mohamed (DJI) – 13:10 (NR/PB)
- Samwel Nyamai Mailu (KEN) – 13:11 (PB)
- Maxime Chaumeton (RSA) – 13:13 (NR/PB)
- Brian Kipyegon (KEN) – 13:17
Women’s 5km
- Caroline Nyaga (KEN) – 14:19 (PB)
- Nadia Battocletti (ITA) – 14:32 (AR/NR/PB)
- Maurine Jepkoech (KEN) – 14:40 (PB)
- Birtukan Molla (ETH) – 14:49
- Nancy Cherop (KEN) – 14:52
What’s Next for Tokyo’s Fastest Feet?
If you missed the live thrill of the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race, you can re‐watch the full stream at asics.tv/tokyo or on the World Athletics YouTube channel.
With Tokyo’s streets proving the perfect canvas for speed—thanks in no small part to ASICS’ METASPEED™ Tokyo Series—runners and fans alike are already buzzing for the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.
Whether you’re chasing a personal benchmark or dreaming of continental glory, today’s flash of lightning in the city shows that when shoe tech and human tenacity collide, records aren’t just broken—they’re obliterated. And that, dear reader, is a sight to behold.
