Bringing the spirit of Japan’s Ekiden relay to India, Japanese sportswear brand ASICS, today announced ASICS Ekiden India 2026 in partnership with Sony India and supported by Embassy of Japan in India. Rooted in centuries-old traditions of teamwork, discipline and shared purpose, the initiative reflects a cultural exchange between Japan and India. With Ekiden, a type of long-distance relay race, ASICS aims to translate the philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’ into a running movement, that celebrates endurance, connection and everyday wellbeing.
The event will bring together Japanese conglomerates including POCARI SWEAT, Pigeon and Fujifilm as partners. The partnership will help strengthen the event’s ambition to create a premium, immersive and culturally rich experiences for participants and spectators alike. Scheduled to be held on 5th April 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, ASICS Ekiden India will see teams of four runners, Indians and Japanese. The teams will collectively cover 10 kilometres, passing the traditional Tasuki to symbolize trust, continuity and purpose. Through this unique relay format, ASICS continues to strengthen India’s running ecosystem through novel initiatives and celebrate its deep-rooted Japanese heritage.
Powering the event, ASICS India has introduced an exclusive ASICS Ekiden Pack as part of the ASICS BLAST SERIES™ and MAGIC SPEED 5™ featuring METASPEED CUD™. Drawing muse from the iconic Ekiden races in Japan, the collection symbolises growth, momentum and renewal through colourways inspired by sprout emerging and light turning green. Designed to motivate runners to keep moving forward, the range features a distinctive glitter spray effect that represents athletes striving and reaching their full potential. Combining Japanese design sensibilities with high-performance engineering, the Ekiden Pack brings together style, storytelling and technical excellence for India’s rapidly growing running community. Available across select ASICS stores and online, the collection extends the Ekiden experience beyond race day.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia said, “Over the past few years, India has witnessed an unprecedented rise in recreational running with running communities and fitness-led lifestyles growing rapidly across metros and emerging cities. Events like the Mumbai and Delhi Marathons now see tens of thousands of runners every year, reflecting how deeply running has embedded itself into urban culture. Indian consumers today are increasingly inclined to experience global culture and trends and there is a growing appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship whether in sport, design or everyday life. Ekiden sits at the intersection of these two movements. By bringing this iconic relay format to India, we are creating a platform that celebrates teamwork, cultural exchange and holistic wellbeing, staying true to our philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’.”
ASICS Ekiden India 2026 will feature a diverse mix of runners including Indian and Japanese participants in each team, reinforcing cross-cultural collaboration. Enhancing the event experience will be other brand partners like Pilot and Yakult. Together, the partner ecosystem will help deliver a sporting celebration that blends performance, recovery, hydration and lifestyle support.
Registrations for ASICS Ekiden India 2026 are now open. For more information, visit https://asics-ekiden-india.com/
