ASICS Deepens Chennai Market Presence Through Marathon Partnership and Running Club Launch
ASICS, the Japanese sportswear brand, announced that it will serve as the Official Sports Goods Partner for the Freshworks Chennai Marathon (FCM), which is slated to take place on January 3, 2027 marking the event’s 15th edition. The marathon, powered by Chennai Runners, will feature four race categories – Full Marathon, Twenty Miler, Half Marathon and 10 km. As part of the partnership, ASICS will engage runners throughout the build‑up and event weekend via ARC training sessions, promotional runs, a marathon expo, an ASICS House, and the presence of ASICS athletes and coaches.
In parallel, ASICS is launching the ASICS Running Club (ARC) in Chennai. The club is designed to provide a dedicated platform for Chennai runners to train together, receive coaching support, and progress through various stages of their running journey on a year‑round basis. The initiative aims to foster consistency and community among participants.
Rajat Khurana, Managing Director of ASICS India & South Asia and Executive Officer of ASICS Corporation, stated that the growth of running culture in India reflects a broader shift toward fitness and well‑being, and that Chennai’s strong foundation in this culture makes the partnership and club launch a natural extension of ASICS’s “Sound Mind, Sound Body” philosophy. He emphasized that the collaboration offers an opportunity to deepen ASICS’s roots in the city and support runners through regular training and community engagement.
Chandrasekar M, Race Director of the Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2027, described the partnership as a natural extension of the marathon’s commitment to strengthening Chennai’s running culture. He noted that ASICS brings a strong performance heritage and understanding of runner motivations, adding strength to the event and reinforcing the shared ambition to make running more accessible, engaging and rewarding.
The press release also notes that ASICS currently operates 150 stores across India, underscoring its expanding footprint in the Indian market. For further details, readers are directed to the ASICS India store locator and the company’s website.