ASICS, an acronym for the Latin “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano” or “a Sound Mind in a Sound Body”, has championed the positive impact of sport on the body and the mind for over 70 years. Now, in 2021 and beyond ASICS’ aim is to inspire and support millions more people to move for positive mental health.
Run together and uplift the world at ASICS World Ekiden 2021
Through October (mental health awareness month), ASICS is inviting teams of up to six people to run together to uplift the world by completing the ASICS World Ekiden 2021. The Japanese inspired Ekiden is a virtual relay race designed for people all abilities to get out and move together for body and for mind. Spilt into six legs of varying distances (three of 5K, two of 10K and one of a 7.2K), the race sees teams pass a digital tasuki – a narrow band of fabric associated with traditional Ekidens – between them as they run a combined virtual marathon.
Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, which brought together over 56,000 people from 179 different countries ASICS is once again calling on runners all over the world to unite and run together with their team between 10-22 November 2021, as part of its continued mission to uplift the world through sport in 2021 and beyond. This year, everyone who signs up to be part of the ASICS Ekiden in Europe will automatically raise funds for organisations championing movement for positive mental health.
Gary Raucher, Executive Vice President, ASICS EMEA said, “ASICS was founded out of adversity. A direct response to a world in crisis in 1949. Our founder Kihachiro Onitsuka recognised the power of sport to lift people’s spirits. Throughout 2021, ASICS is on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to experience the uplifting impact of movement on the mind as a way of achieving a sound mind in a sound body. Back for its second year, the ASICS World Ekiden 2021 is one of the many events we’re hosting across the year that we hope will inspire people to get involved. We’re excited for runners of all levels and abilities everywhere to unite in their teams and combine their collective efforts as they race towards the virtual finish line.”
How to take part in the ASICS World Ekiden 2021
1. REGISTER FOR FREE
• Find your team of up to six runners and nominate a team captain to sign-up for free from October 4 via the ASICS Runkeeper™ app.
2. TRAIN & TRACK
• Working together is key to the Ekiden relay. The ASICS Runkeeper™ app will help you collaborate with your team on challenges and training plans.
3. RUN THE RACE
• Log your leg of the race in the ASICS Runkeeper™ app between 10-22 November 2021. Work hard and run fast as you pass the virtual tasuki from one teammate to the next.
4. CELEBRATE & SHARE
• Share your team’s results with friends and family on social media using #ASICSWorldEkiden
