Brands
Asics steals the spotlight at New Delhi Marathon’s historic 10 edition
MUMBAI: Asics took centre stage at the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon, marking a grand celebration of its 10 edition with an overwhelming turnout of over 25,000 runners. As the official sports goods partner, Asics reinforced its commitment to fostering a thriving running culture and elevating the experience for elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Asics athlete Harmanjot Singh dominated the Half Marathon, securing a remarkable victory and further solidifying Asics’ legacy in long-distance running. His triumph highlighted the brand’s dedication to performance, endurance, and innovation, underscoring the transformative power of running.
The 2025 marathon edition underscored Asics’ mission to redefine the running experience with cutting-edge footwear, apparel, and accessories. Designed for maximum endurance, Asics’ gear played a crucial role in helping runners push beyond their limits. As thousands crossed the finish line, they carried forward a legacy of resilience and fitness culture in Delhi.
Speaking on the partnership, Asics India managing director Rajat Khurana, expressed pride in Asics’ continued association with the marathon, “We are delighted to continue this association with the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon for the second consecutive year. This association reinforces Asics’ vision of promoting wellness and active lifestyle through running. At Asics, we believe in the transformative power of running and its ability to inspire people to achieve their individual fitness goals. The overwhelming participation and spirit showcased by Singh, who claimed victory in the Half Marathon, truly embody our philosophy of a sound mind in a sound body. We remain committed to supporting the running community in India and providing world-class performance gear to help athletes achieve their best.”
Echoing this sentiment, NEB Sports chairman & managing director Nagraj Adiga, praised Asics’ impact on the event, “The partnership between Asics and the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon is a perfect synergy of performance, endurance, and dedication. Asics’ commitment to providing world-class running gear elevates the race experience for participants and further strengthens India’s growing marathon culture. It’s truly humbling to witness participants from across India and beyond coming together in Delhi to be a part of this marathon event.”
Asics continues to dominate the global running space, earning the trust of professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. With technologically advanced running products and initiatives such as the Asics Running Club, the brand remains steadfast in fostering an inclusive and supportive running ecosystem across India.
As the marathon concluded, one thing was clear Asics isn’t just about selling shoes. It’s about building a movement, one stride at a time.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
