Elite marathoner Dr. Kartik Karkera headlines the showcase.
ASICS hosted a special Ekiden showcase event at its store in Ambience Mall, Gurugram, blending sport, design and Japanese heritage ahead of the upcoming ASICS Ekiden India 2026. The event marked the unveiling of the official Ekiden T-shirt and was headlined by elite marathoner and ASICS Athlete Dr. Kartik Karkera, one of India’s leading distance runners.
The showcase also saw participation from major Japanese conglomerates and brand partners including Sony India, POCARI SWEAT, Pigeon, Fujifilm, Pilot and Yakult, highlighting cross-cultural collaboration through sport.
Dr. Kartik Karkera, who recently secured landmark wins at the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon and the Tata Mumbai Marathon, shared insights into his training journey, which reflects endurance and mental strength—qualities aligned with the Ekiden tradition and ASICS’ philosophy of “Sound Mind, Sound Body”.
Designed with strong visual storytelling, the Ekiden T-shirt reflects the global heritage of the relay format. The back graphic features a world map with Japan highlighted as the origin, with motion lines radiating outward to represent the spread of running culture and ASICS’ global presence. Inspired by the Tasuki passing tradition, the front design incorporates energy waves and speed lines to convey momentum. The palette includes Vital & Illuminate Green, Lemon Spark Yellow, Arctic Sky and Piedmont Grey.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, said, “India is at an exciting stage in its running journey… Through initiatives like ASICS Ekiden India 2026, we aim to continue building the running ecosystem in the country.”
Dr Kartik Karkera, ASICS athlete, added, “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.”
ASICS Ekiden India 2026 will be held on 5 April 2026 at DLF CyberHub, Gurugram, featuring teams of four runners covering 10 km in relay format.