At first glance, a Buddhist monk and a marathon runner might seem to inhabit completely different worlds. One sits in stillness; the other spends hours moving through punishing terrain. But in the high-altitude landscapes of Ladakh, the distance between the two becomes surprisingly small: both require discipline, endurance, and an ability to stay completely present.
That idea forms the heart of ‘Meditation in Motion,’ a new campaign from PUMA India ahead of the Ladakh Marathon, taking place from September 10 to 13.
Where Stillness Meets Speed
Shot at Thiksey Monastery, the 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Leh, the campaign brings Buddhist monks into an unexpected visual conversation with modern running culture.
Dressed in their traditional robes and PUMA NITRO™ Deviate PURE shoes, the monks appear against Ladakh's stark mountains and dramatic terrain. Across six photographs, they move through monastery pathways and gather against the landscape, creating a striking contrast between ancient tradition and contemporary sportswear.
The campaign's central idea is simple: meditation and running may look entirely different, but both can become exercises in focus.
For monks, devotion and daily practice demand discipline and presence. For runners, particularly those taking on Ladakh's extraordinary terrain, the same qualities translate into resilience, concentration, and the determination to keep moving when physical and mental fatigue set in.
The Shoe Behind the Story
At the center of the campaign is the PUMA Deviate NITRO™ PURE, selected to complement the idea of movement without restriction.
The lightweight running shoe uses PUMA's NITROFOAM™ cushioning and breathable engineered mesh, while PUMAGRIP traction is designed to provide grip. Unlike a carbon-plated racing shoe, the Deviate PURE is built around a more flexible ride, giving runners a responsive and adaptive feel.
That balance between movement and control mirrors the campaign's broader message: performance does not always come from pushing harder, but sometimes from finding a rhythm and staying present.
Lessons From the Mountain
Ramprasad Sridharan, Managing Director of PUMA India, said the campaign was inspired by the shared state of focus found in movement and meditation.
After three years of association with the Ladakh Marathon, PUMA says it wanted to explore the less visible side of running—the mindset required when distractions fade and the runner becomes focused on the experience itself.
Ladakh Marathon Founder and Race Director Chewang Motup Goba similarly draws a connection between running and meditation. According to him, the mountain cannot simply be fought; runners must learn to understand and embrace its altitude, cold, wind, and terrain.
A Race Like No Other
The Ladakh Marathon is known for its extraordinary elevation and demanding conditions. Its 122-kilometer Silk Route Ultra begins in the Nubra Valley at around 10,700 feet and climbs toward Khardung La Pass at approximately 17,618 feet—higher than Everest Base Camp.
As the marathon's exclusive sportswear partner, PUMA India will provide race-day T-shirts across categories. Ultra participants will also receive performance essentials suited to high-altitude conditions, including jackets, thermals, arm sleeves, beanies, and caps.
With ‘Meditation in Motion,’ PUMA turns the race into something more than a test of physical endurance. Against one of India's most dramatic landscapes, it presents running as a practice of presence—one breath, one thought and one step at a time.
