Published:
Readtime: 4 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
When Hailemaryam Kiros of Ethiopia crossed the finish line of the 2025 Sydney Marathon on Sunday with a blistering time of 2:06:06 (CR), he did so wearing a pair of ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO (AUD$380). It was a record achievement that claimed the fastest time ever run in a marathon in Australia by more than a minute. More importantly, it was enough for ASICS to win the sneaker battle against Nike athlete Addisu Gobena, who came in second, and Eliud Kipchoge, who came in 11th.
It must be mentioned that the fastest woman in the Sydney Marathon, Sifan Hassan, wore a pair of Nike Alphafly 3s. However, the fastest Australian running in the Sydney Marathon was Haftu Strintzos, who wore a matching pair of ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO when he crossed the line in 2:11:27 to finish 14th overall.
Those in attendance could see that it was a dominant display for ASICS, which has cemented itself as one of the best running shoe brands on the market. Simultaneously, their SportsStyle line remains one of the most popular lifestyle sneaker marques, flying off the shelf quickly thanks to key collaborations with JJJJound and Hidden NY and a strong general release line-up of Y2K-inspired silhouettes. For this article, we’re focused on the Sydney Marathon-winning ASICS METASPEED.
The ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO and its brothers, the METASPEED EDGE TOKYO and METASPEED RAY TOKYO, are what runners colloquially refer to as “super shoes.”
Like the Nike Alphafly 3, they all use a carbon plate, the most significant advancement in running shoe technology since Nike invented Zoom foam. The ASICS website states that the carbon plate “enhances the energy return from the midsole by increasing the deformable foam volume under the plate,” which, in layman’s terms, helps you run faster and for longer. It’s what makes them perfect for middle—and long-distance runners.
Note that the SKY and EDGE have slightly different configurations to the location of the carbon plate, with the METASPEED SKY TOKYO worn by Sydney Marathon winner, Hailemaryam Kiros, being higher in the thicker midsole.
Beyond the carbon plate, the same MOTION WRAP 3.0 upper is woven to conform to any foot shape. The FF TURBO PLUS cushioning found on the midsole is lightweight and bouncier than FF TURBO cushioning, and it combines with another layer of FF LEAP cushioning on the bottom of the shoe to preserve your joints on extended runs and increase energy return.
“The new collection of METASPEED models is the result of extensive scientific development from the ASICS team to refine and update the shoe according to feedback from myself and my fellow elite athletes,” said ASICS-sponsored elite marathoner, Bashir Abdi, at the launch of the sneaker back in July 2025.
“Not only do the new shoes reflect some of the specific details we look for in a racing shoe, but it is also a real confidence boost having the option of three models which we can test and evaluate which best suits our running style.”
“It is a great moment to be able to share the latest ASICS METASPEED silhouettes with the world,” said project leader of the METASPEED series product development at ASICS, Shuhei Takemura. “This collection of shoes is innovatively designed to match different running styles and preferences to give all athletes the comfort and confidence to find their speed. Furthermore, we are humbled that this series of products will take on the name of Tokyo, a city that has an incredible sporting heritage and will be welcoming fans from around the world for the World Athletics Championships 25 later this year.”
To get your hands on a pair of the shoes worn by the Sydney Marathon winner, Hailemaryam Kiros, visit the ASICS Australia website, linked below.
Comments
We love hearing from you. or to leave a comment.