SBI Pinkathon, India's biggest women's run is coming to Pune for the second consecutive year

Online registrations are open for the 3km, 5km& 10km multi- category run. United Sisters Foundation & Maximus Events along with Super model, actor, fitness enthusiast, avid barefoot runner and Pinkathon founder Milind Soman, formally announced the launch of this year’s SBI Pinkathon Pune at a press conference in Pune today.
Present at the conference were eminent dignitaries Dr. Shona Nag - Consultant Oncologist, Neelam Seolekar - MD 'O' hotels India and Director Oxford Group, Dr. Mitali Upadhaye - Cancer Survivor & Homoeopathic Consultant and Mr. Sandeep Prakash, Regional Head - West, Amway India. The focus of the international running event is to encourage an active lifestyle and overall fitness for women and create much-needed awareness against breast cancer.

SBI Pinkathon has so far been held across the country in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi & Ahmedabad. The national event has received an overwhelming expression of support with 15,000 women of all ages, across all walks of life participating in Amdavad alone. Delhi Pinkathon had 7000 women participants; in its maiden run in Pune last year, there were over 2000 women runners. This year SBI Pune Pinkathon is expected to cross 5000 participants.
Announcing the launch of SBI Pinkathon Pune, Milind Soman said, “It gives us great joy to bring Pinkathon the second time to Pune. In today’s day and age, raising awareness about health ailments and the importance of an active lifestyle is crucial. I believe, we as citizens should do whatever it takes to raise awareness about breast cancer and keep fatalities at bay. I am confident that the women of Pune will support the cause with full vigour.”
Milind Soman also highlighted the concept of Pinkathon Ambassadors who are passionate, extraordinary, committed men & women connecting for one cause, health for every woman. Each Pinkathon Ambassador is a part of the Pinkathon core team and registers all the women in their circle of influence. With the tag line Each One Kheench One, Pinkathon inspires everyone that Together, we will do more.

Pegged at being the deadliest cancer in women in the country, it is estimated that 1 in 22 Indian women have the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer and the number of new breast cancer cases is expected to rise to 250,000 new cases per year by 2015. Pinkathon is a unique initiative that encourages women to incorporate a fitness programme into their daily lives by promoting simple activities like walking and running.

Reema Sanghavi, Managing Director, Maximus MICE & Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. said, “Running addresses most of the top 10 ways to help prevent breast cancer, not only promoting well-being but also raising immunity levels and improving health to help fight diseases like cancer. Maximus is proud of Pinkathon as our leading Intellectual Property working towards a noble cause.”

Dr Shona Nag, Consultant Oncologist, said “Pinkathon is a super initiative for women all across India. It addresses two important issues for women - fitness and breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer now is the most common cancer in our country and one of its risk factors we can change is obesity through exercise and fitness.”

Neelam Seolekar, MD O hotels India and Director Oxford Group said, “As Pink Health is Rosy Wealth, Health First and know your body. Your body is your temple. Meditate on your body.”

Mitali Upadhye, Cancer Survivor, Homoeopathic Consultant said, “Last year November 2013 when I participated in my first Pune Pinkathon I was just 4 months into my recovery from Ovarian Cancer. Even today that cool morning of November is the most memorable day of my life. That day Pinkathon gave me hope, courage and confidence. It was a huge celebration of "Being a Woman". Pinkathon showed me "I Do Matter". As I finished my maiden 5km run I knew I was going to be fit and healthy to run many more Pinkathons in future!! And today here I am happy to serve as a Pinkathon Ambassador and create the same magic for my other pink sisters.”

Mr. Sandeep Prakash, Regional Head - West, Amway India said, “I am glad to see such high level of participation for an event like Pinkathon as it will help in promoting awareness of fitness & health among women. Today’s hectic & sedentary lifestyle, stress, pollution etc. is taking a toll on our body. Creating awareness about the fact that healthy people need supplements is critical. Pinkathon is a beautiful concept to promote optimal health and it clearly aligns with Nutrilite’ s, Amway’s power brand, philosophy of helping people live a healthy life.”

RJ Jyonita from Radio Mirchi and Mitali Upadhye were announced as the mascots for the 10 km and 5 km category respectively. Both will be presented with the first bibs alongwith running shoes. They are being currently trained to run the 5 km & 10 km distances.

All proceeds raised from the event will be used for the expenses incurred in organizing and marketing the event, and by the Women's Cancer Initiative in its fight against breast cancer. All participants will get a free cancer screening. There is a special registration fee of Rs. 300 per participant for educational institutions and for the participating NGOs it is absolutely free.
The official website for Pinkathon is (www.pinkathon.in) through which participants can register online. Twitter Handle: @pinkathon10k