assistant: Great context — sub-19 5K puts you in serious racing territory, and at 60kg you're light enough to benefit from a plated racer without needing max cushioning to absorb impact. Before I narrow it down: **What's your footstrike?** Are you a forefoot striker, midfoot, or heel striker? That matters for 5K/10K because a lower-drop shoe (5–6mm) rewards a forefoot-biased landing, while a higher-drop shoe (8mm+) is more forgiving for heel strikers. Also, **have you raced in a super-shoe before**, or would this be your first? The short answer on plate vs. no plate: **yes, plate** — at your speed and body weight, a carbon plate gives you a meaningful energy return and stiffness benefit for 5K/10K pace without the durability hit you'd take on a heavier trainer. You're not logging 80 mi/week in it, so the 150–250 mi lifespan is fine. Once I know your footstrike and super-shoe experience, I can pick between the aggressive, lightweight racers here (Adizero Takumi Sen v11, ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, Saucony Endorphin Pro v4) — they're all well-suited to your speed, but the fit and ride character differ in ways that matter for your landing pattern.

assistant: I need to circle back first — I asked about your footstrike and super-shoe experience before making a top pick, and I haven't heard back yet. That matters for 5K/10K because it changes which racer is actually best for you. That said, here's the **Saucony Endorphin Pro v5** vs. what would likely be my top pick (the **ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo**): **ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo** — 159g, 5.0mm drop, 40/35mm stack, carbon plate. Built for forefoot strikers and fast 5K/10K runners. Lightest in this group, lowest drop rewards a quick cadence and forefoot-biased landing. Maximal cushioning with FF TURBO PLUS PEBA foam. Experts rate it well-regarded; it's a pure racer optimized for your speed. **Saucony Endorphin Pro v5** — 215g, 8.0mm drop, 39/31mm stack, carbon plate. Heavier (56g more than the Sky Tokyo), higher drop, and mixed expert reception. Believe in the Run called it "outdated" and "firm" with late-run fatigue on 5K efforts. EDDBUD and FORDY RUNS were more positive, praising the responsive dual-foam and wet-weather grip, but even they position it as a marathon shoe or stability option — not a pure 5K racer. **The verdict:** For sub-19 5K at 60kg, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo is the stronger pick — it's 56g lighter, has a lower drop (better for quick turnover), and reviewers consistently rate it as a true race machine. The Pro v5 feels like it's built more for marathon comfort than 5K speed. **But here's the catch:** This depends on your footstrike. If you're a heel striker or prefer a higher drop, the Pro v5's 8.0mm might feel more natural. If you're a forefoot striker or midfoot runner with a quick cadence, the Sky Tokyo's 5.0mm drop and 159g weight will feel like home. What's your footstrike, and have you raced in a super-shoe before?