With people adjusting to movement restrictions amid the Covid pandemic, Asics is connecting runners around the world with the "Asics World Ekiden 2020" virtual marathon, which will take place on Nov 11 and 12.
Inspired by a century of Japanese running culture, the team race is split into six legs of varying distances -- three legs of 5km, two of 10km and one of 7.2km, totalling a full 42.2km marathon.
Using the Race Roster and the Asics Runkeeper application, runners can track their team progress in real-time on their Apple Watch, Garmin or FitBit device to rank on live online leaderboards and enjoy a customised in-race audio experience to motivate the teams no matter where they are in the world.
The virtual race aims to help people renew their connections with each other, enjoy the mental and physical benefits of team competition and re-energise their collective love of sport and exercise with a shared goal.
According to its ongoing global research, some 42% of people who exercise regularly are finding it difficult to stay motivated as they don't have a goal to work towards at the moment. While three in four (74% globally) of team sport players say sport or exercise is more enjoyable when with friends and teammates, and two thirds (67% globally) admit to missing the chance to compete with others. Half (50% globally) even claim their mental well-being has been negatively impacted by being disconnected from teammates.
"We know people are missing the motivation and connection they get from team sport, so we are really excited to bring people together from all over the world to train and compete together in pursuit of a shared goal. In the true spirit of the Ekiden, anybody can take part, and nobody will be running alone," said Yasuhito Hirota, president and chief operating officer of Asics.
Asics World Ekiken 2020 marathon.
In order to build a community, Asics has formed two regional teams with celebrities and veteran athletes such as Singapore actor Zong Zijie, Indonesian actress Sahila Hisyam, Malaysian marathoner Michelle Chua, Thai sprinter Jirapong Meenapra and Olympian Mary Joy Tabal from the Philippines to share training tips and key race preparations. All teams will also get a chance to win bespoke, made-in-Japan, tasuki ribbons.
Find out more details at asics.com/us/ en-us/mk/asics-world-ekiden.
