Blending sport, design and Japanese heritage, ASICS hosted a special Ekiden showcase event at its store in Ambience Mall, Gurugram. Unveiling the official T-shirt ahead of the upcoming ASICS Ekiden India 2026, the event was headlined by elite marathoner and ASICS Athlete Dr. Kartik Karkera, one of India’s fastest distance runners. The occasion brought together major Japanese conglomerates and brand partners including Sony India, POCARI SWEAT, Pigeon, Fujifilm, Pilot and Yakult.
Dr. Kartik Karkera is fresh off landmark wins at the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon and the Tata Mumbai Marathon. As he builds towards future milestones, his training journey reflects a deep commitment to endurance and mental strength, echoing the spirit of Ekiden and ASICS’ enduring philosophy of ‘Sound Mind, Sound Body’.
The Ekiden T-shirt has been designed to reflect the global spirit and heritage of Ekiden through strong visual storytelling. The graphic on the back features a world map with Japan as the origin. With motion lines radiating outward to represent the expansion of running culture and ASICS’ global presence, it is inspired by the movement of the Tasuki as it is passed between runners. The front graphics draw inspiration from energy waves and speed lines to convey acceleration and forward momentum, aligned with the philosophy of Sound Mind, Sound Body. The colour palette combines Vital & Illuminate Green, Lemon Spark Yellow, Arctic Sky and Piedmont Grey, together creating a high-performance yet globally wearable design.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia said, “India is at an exciting stage in its running journey, where communities, experiences and purpose-driven events are shaping the future of the sport. Ekiden represents a new way of looking at running as a shared experience built on culture, teamwork and trust. Through initiatives like ASICS Ekiden India 2026, we aim to continue building the running ecosystem in the country while bringing global running culture and Japanese heritage closer to Indian runners.”
ASICS athlete Dr. Kartik Karkera said, “Distance running teaches you discipline, patience and consistency, but Ekiden brings a completely different dimension to the sport through teamwork. When you carry the Tasuki, you are not just running your own race, you are carrying your team’s effort, trust and expectations with you. That sense of responsibility makes the race very special, and it is wonderful to see ASICS bringing this format to India and introducing runners here to the spirit of team running.”
ASICS Ekiden India 2026 will bring the spirit of Japan’s legendary Ekiden relay to India, where teams of four runners will collectively cover 10 kilometres, passing the traditional Tasuki to symbolise trust, continuity and shared purpose. The event will take place on 5th April 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, and will feature a diverse mix of Indian and Japanese runners, reinforcing cross-cultural collaboration through sport.
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