After a seven-year hiatus, the Zydus Pinkathon made a triumphant return to Pune, attracting over 4,500 women to the AFMC Ground on Sunday. This event highlighted the city's rich running culture and its commitment to promoting women's health and fitness.

The event kicked off early in the morning, featuring various race categories including 3 km, 5 km, 10 km, and ultra-distances of 50 km, 75 km, and 100 km, along with a 100 km relay. Participants of all ages and fitness levels were welcomed. The event was inaugurated by notable figures such as Pune's Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Milind Soman, the founder of Pinkathon, and Ankita Konwar, founder of Invincible Women, emphasizing its role as a citywide initiative for women's health and active lifestyles.

The event showcased a spirit of inclusivity, with first-time runners joining seasoned athletes. Highlights included participation from 20 visually impaired runners, over 50 cancer survivors, and 15 mothers carrying their babies in the 3 km category. Senior citizens also took part, reinforcing Pinkathon's dedication to community involvement.

Unique mascots represented each category, with Mrunal Inamdar running the Super 75 km in a traditional nauvari saree, symbolizing cultural strength. Lalita Pawar, a visually impaired runner, led the 50 km category, while Dr. Neelam Vaid, a 61-year-old ENT surgeon, represented the 100 km distance. Other notable participants included Dr. Mitali Upadhye, a cancer survivor in the 10 km run, Usha Soman (87) in the Lifelong 5 km, and Mayuri Das in the 3 km category.

In the competitive races, Piyusha Lohar secured first place in the 3 km category with a time of 13:20 minutes, followed by Ovi Patil and Myra Monica Sathe. Krutika Chavhan won the Lifelong 5 km race at 23:34 minutes, with Vandana Thakur and Sarika Yadav completing the podium. Nisha Paswan emerged victorious in the 10 km race with a time of 41:49 minutes, followed by Padma Karande and Abhilasha Modekar.

Milind Soman, the founder of Pinkathon, expressed his excitement about Pune's vibrant running culture, noting the diverse participation from women of all backgrounds. He emphasized that the event's return after seven years signifies a growing commitment to health.

Mayor Manjusha Nagpure praised the event for uniting women and creating a powerful force of resilience and inspiration. She highlighted the inclusivity of the event, which welcomed participants from various walks of life, including cancer survivors and mothers.

The event also promoted awareness around preventive healthcare through the Easiest Exam campaign, encouraging women to perform regular self-breast examinations. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, emphasized the importance of community-led initiatives like Pinkathon in fostering proactive health habits.

Two remarkable women from Pune, Poonam Karanjkar (45) and Captain Pooja Mehra (Retd.) (49), completed an impressive 160 km run from Mumbai to Pune as part of the Spirit of Pinkathon. They began their journey at 5:00 am from Shivaji Park in Mumbai and finished at the AFMC Ground in Pune, showcasing the growing culture of long-distance running among women.

The Zydus Pinkathon Pune marks a significant milestone in the ongoing nationwide movement aimed at enhancing women's health, fitness, and participation. Following successful events in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, this event continues to make strides in promoting women's well-being.