Asics Toyko Collection Pre-Launch Event
On Wednesday August 20th, I had the opportunity - alongside a few members of the RunDNA team - to fly to Melbourne for an exclusive pre-launch event celebrating the ASICS TOKYO Collection. Inspired by the vibrant spirit of Tokyo, the collection beautifully merges the city’s deep-rooted heritage with its dynamic modern vibe.
As we touched down in Melbourne, the sun was shining and the skies were blue and I knew we were in for an unforgettable 24-hour experience.
Our first stop was the ASICS Sportstyle pop-up which was located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. They were celebrating the anniversary of the GEL-QUANTUM series as well as exploring the legacy and heritage around the Japanese brand. It was a great first stop which had a lot of immersive storytelling about ASICS. Even better - most of us were decked out in Asics gear so it meant a free coffee from their ASICS x No Vacancy Café.
After checking in at our accommodation in Albert Park, we ran into members of the ASICS events team. Dressed in vibrant colours, they were on their way to Lakeside Stadium to put the final touches in place before the evening's guests arrived. We also caught sight of a few ASICS athletes in the lobby, and I could sense the growing excitement among our team—there was a real buzz about what the night had in store.
As we pulled up in the bus to Lakeside Stadium, I could see the big screen highlighting videos of the new TOKYO collection through my window, while purple and red lights lit up the venue with energy - the excitement from everyone on the bus was immediate. Upon arrival, we were greeted by ASICS team members handing everyone their own bag of exclusive goodies, which included some running gear and a pair of shoes from the TOKYO collection.
The new collection features two pinnacle running shoes - the MEGABLAST and SONICBLAST - alongside refreshed classics, all inspired by the energy, colour and culture of Tokyo. Our team were incredibly fortunate to receive a pair of either the MEGABLAST or SONICBLAST which both feature the brand new FF TURBO™ SQUARED Foam. This foam is designed to deliver a bouncy, responsive feel with effortless cushioning, taking performance to the next level.
Once we were geared up in our fresh new kits, we took a moment to snap some quick team photos, surrounded by the impressive setup that ASICS had clearly put a lot of effort into. The iconic blue track featured an ASICS arch to mark the start and finish line. There were vibrant lights, smoke machines, a live DJ spinning tunes as well as bean bags, cushions and heaters to keep everyone warm and comfortable.
The two ASICS Running Experts, Sam Hopper and Nathan Pope, jumped up to introduce the evening and highlight the two new models that many of us were wearing. I also learnt that the collection’s colour palette draws from both traditional and contemporary Tokyo - shades of purple, inspired by the wisteria flower which symbolises hospitality and grace, whilst bold accents of sunrise red reflect the city’s fast-paced lifestyle and energy. The design also celebrates the National Stadium, which will be the host venue for the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Championships, where many athletes will produce some incredible achievements.
Inside our goodie bags, we each received a race bib featuring our name and team colour. RunDNA were team ‘red,’ with four of us; Seb, Lindsay, Lachie and myself. Each team also received an ASICS athlete to complete the lineup, and to our delight, we were joined by Thomas Dowd, who also works with us at RunDNA in Adelaide.The race itself was a fun relay: three laps of the 400m track, each runner carrying a baton styled in purple and red hues - showing that every detail has been well curated. We were up against other specialty running retailers from across Australia, as well as local Melbourne-based run club leaders and running influencers, making for a friendly but competitive atmosphere.
The gun went and Seb got us a really strong start before handing the baton to Lindsay where we remained mid pack. It was then my turn and the adrenaline hit and I surprised myself with a quicker time than I was expecting. I think I can thank the new SONICBLAST for that - it felt so springy and fast on the blue track. Thomas and Lachie, anchored us home to finish in a strong 4th position which we were wrapped with!
Before heading back on the bus, we had time to re-fuel from a local food truck providing us with delicious Japanese food. We couldn’t help but get a hot chocolate and jam donut from the coffee van as well to keep ourselves warm!
The following morning was crisp and chilly around Albert Park Lake whilst we did some filming in front of an amazing backdrop. Then it was time to head to the airport which allowed us to debrief on the whole evening and share our highlights - there was nothing but positive comments from the whole team!
We would like to say a huge thank you to ASICS Australia for providing us the opportunity to participate in what was a fantastic, well-organised and inclusive experience. The hype for the TOKYO Collection continues to build since the event and we can’t wait for customers to be able to experience the brand-new MEGABLAST and SONICBLAST for themselves when they drop on September 1st.
About the author
Georgia van der Jeugd - Events Coordinator and Passionate Runner
I coordinate all of our events here at RunDNA and thoroughly enjoy working with a wide range of organisations within the running and fitness community.
I also love my running and particularly like the training block for a half marathon as it involves a lot of variability in terms of the aerobic and speed work. If I'm not out on the roads, or on the track, you'll usually find me in the gym, Pilates studio or swimming laps at my local pool.
