On a rain-slicked track under gray October skies, two unlikely champions turned the inaugural ASICS META: Time: Trials (MTT) Philippines into a moving portrait of personal triumph and unshakable resolve.

Artjoy Torregosa of Butuan and Kenya’s Kelvin Kiplagat emerged as surprise winners in the women’s and men’s 10K events, respectively, besting a stacked Open field of elite and up-and-coming runners at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite Sunday, Oct. 19.

What began as a performance-driven, data-centric race ended as a deeply human story of emotion, adversity and the power of heart over hype.

Torregosa, in particular, delivered one of the most stirring moments of the race. Running not just against the clock but against grief, the unheralded athlete stormed past more favored contenders – including national team standout Joida Gagnao – to claim the women’s overall crown with a time of 36 minutes and 23 seconds.

Tears streamed down her face as she crossed the finish line, almost indistinguishable from the rain that had begun falling steadily midway through the race. For Torregosa, the downpour was more than a challenge – it became a fitting backdrop for her emotional breakthrough.

“Hindi ko po talaga ini-expect (I really didn’t expect this),” said Torregosa. “May mga Philippine team na kasali at hindi naman ako part ng team. Strategy ko lang ay sumabay sa kanila. Pero nung last lap na, nung tinanong ko sa sarili ko kung kaya ko pa, doon ko binuhos lahat ng power ko (There were members of the Philippine national team in the race, and I'm not part of that team. My only strategy was to keep up with them. But in the last lap, when I asked myself if I still had something left, that’s when I gave it everything I had).”

It was more than just a strategic gamble. Torregosa had been carrying a quiet pain throughout her training – the loss of her grandfather, whose wake she missed to prepare for the race. The win, she said, was for him.

“Emotional po ako kasi inialay ko itong takbo sa lolo ko, who passed away. Hindi ako nakapunta sa libing kasi may training ako ("I’m emotional because I dedicated this run to my grandfather, who passed away. I wasn’t able to attend his funeral because I had training),” she said, her voice cracking.

Despite being drenched and drained, Torregosa held back nothing in the final lap, drawing on reserves of strength and sorrow to push past the finish line.

On the men’s side, Kiplagat, a first-time Philippine competitor, defied both unfamiliarity and a crack field to post a victorious 30:32 finish, holding off local aces Richard Salaño (30:41) and Sonny Wagdos (31:22), who had recently won in Thailand.

“It felt kind of funny and exciting at the same time,” said Kiplagat, who hails from the high-altitude town of Eldama Ravine. “This is my first time racing in the Philippines, and the weather was challenging, my body was hurting. But I gave it everything.”

Like Torregosa, Kiplagat was not among the pre-race favorites. But his grit and composure allowed him to keep pace with the leaders before making a decisive move in the final stretch. His goal, he said, is to follow the path of greatness carved by compatriots like Eliud Kipchoge and Daniel Simiu.

Both champions walked away with ₱100,000 each – but more than the cash prize, they left an imprint of perseverance on a day when the rain tried but failed to steal the spotlight.

Despite the weather, the event – part of the global ASICS META: Time: Trials series – was hailed as a resounding success. Over 3,000 runners of all backgrounds turned out for the precision-focused loop course, energized by hydration stations, elite pacers and a cheering crowd that braved the storm to support every stride.

From elite competitors to weekend warriors, all shared a common goal: to beat their personal bests. But it was Torregosa and Kiplagat who went above and beyond, reminding everyone that sometimes, the most powerful performances come from the most unexpected places.

Rounding out the Top 10 in the women’s division were Christine Hallasgo (37:07), Jessa Mae Roda (38:45), Nicole Diloy (38:57), Michelle Zamora (39:22), Macrose Dichoso (40:18), Melljoy Gonzales (40:35), and Maricar Camacho (40:54).

In the men’s division, Dickyias Mendioro (31:25), Eduard Flores (31:32), Mark Mahinay (31:38), Arlan Arbois (31:47), Junel Gobotia (32:02), Roy Laudit (32:14), and Corsino Satinitigan (32:19) completed the Top 10.

But beyond the podium finishes and cash prizes, the Asics MTT was a celebration of personal growth, mental resilience and physical potential. It embraced ASICS’ philosophy of “Sound Mind, Sound Body,” emphasizing that true athletic success lies in the balance between performance and well-being.

According to Kabir Buxani, Chief Executive Officer of SONAK Retail Group – the official distributor of Asics in the Philippines – the event was more than just a race.

“We’re proud to bring this global performance race concept to local runners and to witness how the Filipino running community embraced it with so much passion. Today was about every athlete discovering what’s possible when focus, preparation and innovation come together,” he said.

Runners were also given the exclusive opportunity to test the brand’s latest innovations, including the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and the newly introduced Metaspeed Ray. These state-of-the-art racing shoes are engineered to optimize stride mechanics and running economy, offering a competitive edge to those looking to smash their limits.