ASICS hosts inaugural Ekiden India 2026 relay at Gurugram
Over 240 teams joined the Japan-inspired relay event held at DLF CyberHub.
ASICS India successfully hosted the first edition of ASICS Ekiden India 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, bringing together running communities, corporate teams and fitness enthusiasts. The iconic Japanese relay-format event was organised in partnership with Sony India and supported by the Embassy of Japan in India.
The event witnessed the presence of Yasuhito Hirota, Chairman and CEO, Representative Director, ASICS Corporation; ONO Keiichi, Ambassador of Japan to India; Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, and Dr Kartik Karkera, ASICS athlete , an elite marathoner and winner of the recent Tata Mumbai Marathon and Cognizant New Delhi Marathon.
With participation from over 240 teams, the relay brought together runners from both India and Japan, highlighting the Ekiden’s global legacy and its growing relevance as a cross-cultural sporting format.
ASICS said the event was supported by leading Japanese partners including Mitsubishi Corporation, POCARI SWEAT, Pigeon, Fujifilm, Pilot and Yakult. Teams of four competed in the relay, with each team including at least one Japanese participant. Participants passed the traditional Tasuki, a sash that symbolises unity, continuity and teamwork.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, said, “Running has seen strong growth in India over the past few years, with increasing participation across races, running groups and fitness initiatives. Through the ASICS Ekiden India 2026, we brought the Japanese team relay format to the country, offering runners a new way to experience the sport through teamwork and shared goals. We are extremely encouraged by the enthusiasm and participation we witnessed at the event and look forward to bringing more such initiatives in the future.”
Dr Karkera said, “Having competed on some of India’s biggest marathon stages, I know how much the right environment and community can fuel a runner’s journey. ASICS India Ekiden 2026 has created a space where teamwork, discipline and the joy of running come together. I am very excited to see runners across cultures connect through the sport and hope it inspires many more people to experience the transformative power of running.”
ASICS Ekiden India 2026 marks another step in the brand’s efforts to strengthen India’s running ecosystem by introducing global formats and encouraging wider participation, while reinforcing its philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’.
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