Running Radar: Running Data, Nubank at Ironman & Brand Moves

Anta Sports Acquires 29% Stake in Puma, Shaking Up the Industry

Chinese sportswear giant Anta Sports acquired a 29% stake in Germany's Puma for roughly €1.5 billion, becoming the company's largest shareholder. The strategic acquisition bolsters Anta's global expansion through established brands, following a playbook it previously executed with Fila in Asia and the Amer Sports group (Arc'teryx and Salomon).

The deal could re-energize Puma's running division across multiple markets, including Brazil, where the German brand has historically centered on lifestyle and soccer, opening doors for fresh strategies and wider distribution of high-performance products.

Mizuno Hyper Warp Challenge Brazil: 'Last One Standing' Endurance Test

To showcase its new super shoe lineup, Mizuno is hosting the Mizuno Hyper Warp Challenge Brazil on March 1 at the Cepeusp track in São Paulo. The event follows an elimination format featuring 50 invited athletes (25 men and 25 women), running 400-meter laps with a cutoff time that drops by 20 seconds each round until only the winner remains.

The competition features R$ 90,000 in total prize money distributed among the top three finishers and serves as the launchpad for the Hyper Warp Pro, Elite, and Pure models, engineered for maximum biomechanical efficiency.

'Por Dentro do Corre' Survey: Brazil Reaches 15 Million Runners

Olympikus, in partnership with Box 1824, released the second edition of its Por Dentro do Corre research report. The study reveals that Brazil added approximately 2 million new participants in 2025, reaching 15 million regular runners nationwide.

The findings show the sport is becoming younger and more diverse: the average age dropped to 34, and middle-class runners (Class C) now account for 43% of participants. Among behavioral trends, headphones remain an essential accessory for listening to podcasts and news, while 23% of respondents admitted to faking a workout just to post on social media.

Strava 'Destrava o Corre' Challenge Engages the Community

Integrated into the Olympikus ecosystem, the Destrava o Corre challenge on Strava surpassed 3 million kilometers logged collectively. The final goal is to reach 5 million kilometers by February 6 to trigger the official presale launch of the new Corre 4.

Nike Mind: Footwear Designed for Neuroscience and Mental Recovery

Nike launched the Nike Mind line in Brazil, featuring footwear designed around mental conditioning, balance, and pre- and post-race recovery. The model arriving in the country is the Mind 001 Mule, prioritizing athlete wellness and rest beyond traditional physical performance metrics.

2026 New York City Marathon Opens Drawing Window

New York Road Runners announced key dates for the historic 50th-anniversary running of the five-borough course in 2026. The general entry drawing is open from February 4 to February 25, with results announced on March 4. Given record application numbers, drawing acceptance rates typically hover between 2% and 3%.

Rio de Janeiro Marathon Opens General Registration for 5K and 10K

The Rio de Janeiro Marathon festival opened direct registration for its shorter distances. The 5K takes place on the late afternoon of Thursday, June 4, while the 10K runs on the morning of Friday, June 5, both along Aterro do Flamengo starting from Marina da Glória.

London Marathon Announces Historic Elite Field

London Marathon organizers confirmed one of the most competitive elite fields in history for this April. On the women's side, Tigist Assefa will defend her title against Hellen Obiri, Peres Jepchirchir, and Sifan Hassan. The men's field features heavyweights Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, and Sebastian Sawe.

Tokyo to Host Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group Championships in 2027

The Tokyo Marathon was selected to host the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championship on March 7, 2027. This marks the first time an Asian city will host the global finale for top-ranked amateur age-group marathoners.

Puma Project3 Reopens for Sub-Elite Marathoners

Puma announced the return of Project3 for the 2026 Boston and London Marathons. The initiative will support 300 runners with qualifying times under 3:00 (men) and 3:15 (women), providing pro-level support and a $3,000 cash bonus for athletes who lower their personal bests by at least 3 minutes.

Shoe Releases: New Balance 1080 v15, Asics Magic Speed 5, and Fila Skyfoam

The running shoe market remains bustling with new unveilings. New Balance introduced the 1080 v15 at R$ 1,299.00, emphasizing midsole durability under the 'in it for the long run' campaign. Asics launched the Magic Speed 5 with a reduced weight of 195 g, an updated carbon plate, and a retail price of R$ 1,399.99.

Meanwhile, Fila debuted its Skyfoam technology, a midsole foam developed in partnership between biomechanics labs in Brazil and South Korea, drawing inspiration from the brand's skyrunning roots and validated across more than 10,000 kilometers of testing.

Adidas Hosts Adizero Pasta Carb-Loading Activation in Dubai

Celebrating the 25th edition of the Dubai Marathon, Adidas hosted the Adizero Pasta activation at the Adizero House of Fast. Registered runners picked up complimentary servings of ravioli shaped like the Adizero Evo SL shoe and stamped with the iconic three stripes, pairing traditional carb-loading with running product culture.