The annual Pinkathon run in Pune and Mumbai is almost upon us, empowering women across India. It has tracks from 3km all the way to 21km - so anyone can participate. The run drew over 75,000 women runners across India last year and is expected to draw a record crowd this year. Women's safety is so important to Pinkathon's organisers that any woman running the 21km track can get a male "pacer" to run alongside her.
What's new this year is that runners in the Pinkathon marathon can get free access to a number of gyms in their city. "We're set to have the greatest Pinkathon ever this year," said its creator, the famous Milind Soman: "And I'm really excited about the free training these women can receive prior to the run."
Select gyms in all of the Pinkathon cities are participating in this free training program, including in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai (with a possibility that this Pinkathon association will reach as far as Dubai). Runners will benefit from classes that prepare them for the Pinkathon, such as treadathon classes and special outdoor bootcamps.
This no-cost gym access is provided to Pinkathon participants by vario.fitness, a San-Francisco and Ahmedabad based startup that is revolutionizing the gym landscape in India. vario.fitness sells one low-price monthly membership that grants access to a number of the best local gyms and classes - so members can pick and choose the best classes for their individual needs. Vario.fitness is the exclusive training partner of this year's Pinkathon events.
"Whether you're a first-time runner or a seasoned pro, this extra pre-run boost will help you have a stronger and safer run," says Dinesh Hinduja, CEO of vario.fitness.
Runners can use the participating gyms for free up to the date of their local Pinkathon this year if they sign up for Pinkathon online at least a week prior to the race. No commitment or prior registration is necessary. To find out which gyms around you are participating, download the vario.fitness app here, available on Google Android Play Store and Apple iOS itunes App Store.