ASICS Tokyo Speed Race: Étienne Daguinos Chases a New European Record

Étienne Daguinos, the man to watch

All eyes in France will be on him: Étienne Daguinos, the former European 10K record-holder, arrives in Tokyo with one goal in mind: to reclaim his prized record. On November 16, he made a huge impression at the Lille 10K, running 27:04 to set a European record. Since then, the mark has been lowered to 26:53, at 2:41 per kilometre, by Sweden’s Andreas Almgren in Valencia in January. Daguinos will now have to run even faster to return to the top. That looks well within reach: the US Talence runner is in form, as he showed recently with an excellent second place at the European Running Championships in Brussels. With a new ASICS prototype on his feet and a fast, flat course leading towards the National Stadium, the future epicentre of the World Championships in September, there is no doubt that the French athlete will be fully committed to chasing down the European record.

© Albin Durand – ASICS

A stacked field and a world-class French contingent

Alongside Étienne, other French athletics talents will also take to the streets of Japan: Mekdes Woldu, Bastien Augusto, Félix Bour, Yohan Durand and Antoine Puydebois will all be on the start line, driven by the same ambition: to push their limits and, perhaps, set new personal bests. This strong and ambitious French contingent perfectly embodies the spirit of the Tokyo Speed Race: racing for performance, breaking records and inspiring a new generation of runners.

The French runners will be joined by a deep, high-calibre elite field. Nadia Batocletti, the Italian athlete who won silver at the Paris Olympics, will be on the start line alongside Djiboutian runner Mohamed Ismail, Ethiopian athlete Jemal Mekonen and Tomoki Ota, one of Japan’s leading runners at present.

A technology showcase from ASICS

The event will also give ASICS the opportunity to officially unveil its new carbon-plated racing shoe, developed with a strong athlete-first approach and the latest advances in biomechanical research. Already tested and approved by several of the brand’s ambassadors, the innovation promises the ideal balance of energy return, comfort and stability. It will give elite athletes such as Étienne Daguinos the tools to push back the limits of performance.

“We are delighted to welcome our athletes to the Tokyo Speed Race and wish them the best of luck. Through meticulous organisation, we will provide the best possible conditions for performance, supported by our latest innovations. Since 1949, ASICS has designed products that bring together physical and mental wellbeing, and these latest innovations demonstrate our ongoing commitment to human-centred design and biomechanical science.”“

A race open to everyone

After the pros, 2,750 amateur runners will also have their moment in the spotlight, taking part in a 5K or a relay half marathon. The same finish-line setting, a roaring atmosphere and a grand finish in front of the Meiji Memorial Museum. Children will also have their own 1K race, while an event for runners who are deaf or hard of hearing, held in partnership with the Deaflympics, will make this popular and inclusive celebration even more complete.

The Tokyo Speed Race will be a unique chance to experience the action from home and perhaps witness Étienne Daguinos make a triumphant return to the top of the European rankings. Speed and passion will come together to make history, with Daguinos leading a French contingent determined to claim records and redemption.

✔ The race will be streamed live on the ASICS website on May 3 from noon French time