Conceptualised by super model, actor, fitness enthusiast, and barefoot runner Milind Soman, and organised in association with United Sisters Foundation and Maximus events and partnered with Bajaj Electricals and UN Women among others, the run is aimed at creating awareness on breast cancer.
"The marathon is the beginning of a movement carried forward by a growing community of empowered women across India, who share a belief that a healthy family, a healthy nation and a healthy world begins with empowered women," Soman said here today.
Organised in 8 cities, over 10,000 women run in each of the events. It will also see participation of visually and hearing impaired women.
"They run in running gear but also in sarees, salwar kameez, hijabs or whatever attire they deem fit and keeps them comfortable," Soman said.
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The fitness icon said, "Fitness is liberating. If a culture of regular exercise and fitness must take root in India, our women need to become aware about the benefits of fitness. They need to be able to get out and run, which does not happen due to various cultural reasons."
Several organisations associated with the marathon are also conducting various activities as a precursor to the main day for example a 'Cancer Shero Trek', a trek that felicitates cancer survivors.
As a symbol of solidarity with women everywhere, participants of this year's Pinkathon is set to receive a 'Tsunamika' doll to commemorate their finish. The dolls have been made by a group of illiterate Indian women affected by the devastating Tsunami of December 2004.
Social activist Ranjana Kumari whose organisation Women Power Connect is collaborating with the marathon said, "Women's health is directly linked with the development of any nation. Provision of better health care facilities and nutrition are the basic rights of all citizens. Its high time that we all together take up women's health issues seriously and demand better health care facilities.