New Delhi, 23 February, 2021.

TECNO, the global premium smartphone brand, today announced the launch of its first virtual edition of TECNO India Run.  A brand-connect initiative to engage with our young TG and also strengthen the Government of India’s ‘Fit India Movement’. The virtual run will be held on 13^th & 14^th March’21 ensuring participants are actively engaged within the safety of a surrounding of their choice. Through ‘TECNO India Virtual Run’, the brand aims to encourage people to bring about a behavioral change and make health & fitness an important part of their day to day lives.

The campaign that was ideated basis insights derived from our TECNO CMR Study which stated that ‘around three out of seven users in Aspirational Bharat have taken up new activities & hobbies during the period of lockdown’. The report further suggested that there was a 54% increase in smartphone usage during the lockdown, for Health & Fitness related activities. The pandemic has seen consumers focus on health, fitness and wellness, and the latest initiative furthers TECNO’s belief to bring relevant, responsible, and engaging programs for its consumers. TECNO India Virtual Run is being organized in collaboration with leading sports enterprise, YouTooCanRun, which will be led by 100 race ambassadors across India, including Kranti Salvi - Guinness World Record Holder for Running the prestigious Berlin Marathon wearing a Nine Yard Saree in 2018. She has also received several other World Major Running accolades like the Boston Marathon in 2017, NYC Marathon in 2018, Comrades in 2019 & Chicago Marathon in 2019,

Shibani Gulati - the only Indian kidney transplant survivor who runs half marathons, Aakash Nambiar- a Barefoot & Minimal Runner, Adventure Traveler and a TEDx Speaker from Bangalore and many more ace runners.

Commenting on this Fitness initiative by TECNO, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of Transsion India, said, “TECNO has always strived to bring experiences that are most meaningful for its consumers. TECNO India Virtual Run aims to engage consumers with what’s important to them - health, fitness, and wellness. Last year people have spent months cooped up at home and lifestyle that became suddenly sedentary—with no commuting, no travel, and working from home and remote-learning. This Pandemic has pushed people to think about health more holistically and fitness has become a priority while juggling of various day to day activities. People are getting a head-start on strengthening their overall health thanks to virtual workouts and we strongly believe the future is going to be a blend of both digital & physical.” 

Mr. P. Venkatraman, CEO and founder, YouTooCanRun said, “Health and wellness has become crucial in our lives especially in the post pandemic world wherein people had limited spaces to partake in their workouts or health regimes. This association with TECNO for this virtual run campaign will encourage citizens all over the country to partake in the event for a healthier lifestyle.”

The TECNO India Virtual Run will feature three categories – 2Km Performance Walk, 5Km Speed Run and 10Km Power Run. Over 8000 participants are expected to take part in the run, making it one of the most sought-after initiatives in recent times. Participants will receive a jersey, neckwear & an e-certificate.

How to Participate:

The run is open to all, including fitness enthusiasts, amateur runners, professional runners & beginners, who can participate in the run. Participants will need to register online at <https://tecnoindiarun.com/> or at select retail outlets by 10^th March, 2021.

Post entry of registration details, participants will receive a confirmation mail with a link to the TECNO App. The running stats of participants will be recorded via the ‘STRAVA’ App which will then export their activity details to the TECNO App wherein winners will be further notified for steps to be taken. Participants will be required to complete their selected race in one go. Entries with multiple attempts shall be considered invalid.

Enclosed is the categories of winners and prizes:

·      Fastest Time (Top 3): 2k Walk – 1 wireless speaker worth INR 3,499

·      Fastest Time (Top 3): 5k Run – TECNO POVA smartphone

·         Fastest Time (Top 3): 10k Run – 1 TECNO POVA + 1 wireless speaker worth INR 3,499

·         Top 10 creative entries on social media - 1 wireless speaker worth INR 3,499

·      Early birds: First 7 runners to start the race - 1 wireless speaker worth INR 1,299