SBI Pinkathon – India’s biggest women’s run, seeks to empower women through health awareness, gets ready for the next five cities in the series this year
The Delhi SBI Pinkathon will have its third edition on September 6, 2015. Over 10,000 women are expected to paint the capital pink. Conceptualised by super model, actor, fitness enthusiast, and barefoot runner Milind Soman, and organised in association with United Sisters Foundation and Maximus events, the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of an active lifestyle focussed on healthy practises and women’s health issues like breast cancer, its causes and prevention. SBI Pinkathon is an initiative that encourages women to incorporate a fitness programme into their daily lives by promoting simple community activities like walking and running. SBI Pinkathon offers the running distances of 3 km, 5 km, 10 km and the half marathon distance of 21 km, giving each participant an opportunity to run or walk in their comfort zone.
Leading corporates and educational institutions like State Bank of India, Amway India, Vodafone, Deepak Fertilisers & Indira Institute of Management, Sathyabama University, Apollo Hospitals, Wockhardt Hospitals, LIC, IBM, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Research Centre, Bajaj Electricals, BMC School, St Mary’s school, have furthered their commitment by pledging their support for all the upcoming events organised in various cities. Also these corporates are now showing their commitment towards their employees and students by not only focusing on skill related incentives but also by promoting health and fitness.
Reportedly, SBI Pinkathon – Empowering Indian Women has had over 50,000 women participate in its runs held across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Pune. This year the SBI Pinkathon will include the North East in its footprint, organising the run for the first time in Guwahati. The goal for Pinkathon is to eventually become the biggest women’s run in the world, and to have more than 75,000 women participate across eight cities in 2015-16.
The SBI Pinkathon has introduced several unique segments such as:
1. Cancer Shero Trek: A new initiative from United Sisters, the Cancer Shero trek is a small but exciting trek either within or close to the city. This trek is designed especially for cancer survivors who wish to try something adventurous in the outdoors, but may not be ready to join a regular group or might be nervous about trying something by themselves. The concept is to provide a community activity where a person who has withstood the physical and emotional ravages of the disease, has a chance to test themselves in a safe environment surrounded by friends and caregivers.
2. Visually impaired participants: In every SBI Pinkathon, visually impaired girls are encouraged to participate across all three categories 3k, 5k and 10k. In order to prepare them for the main day there are special unique training sessions designed for them. As required, with every visually impaired participant, a sighted runner volunteers to train with them and run alongside them at the event. All visually impaired runners and their sighted partners are presented with medals in Braille, inscribed with the words ‘I run, I inspire’.
3. Year-round training for participants: Every woman who expresses an interest to train while registering for SBI Pinkathon is put in touch with a running group close to her residence, so that she may continue to run after the event with proper guidance from a reliable and responsible set of people who are passionate about health.
4. Baby wearing mothers: In 2015, the Pinkathon started with a new concept where pregnant women, and women with babies strapped to their bodies, participated in baby wearing walks to train for and eventually participate in the event. The concept of baby wearing promotes a closer emotional bond between mother and child, increases the baby’s exposure to the mother’s lifestyle and environment in a safe and secure way and breaks the myth that women have to be constrained by new motherhood.
5. A pacer with every racer: The concept of ‘A Pacer with every Racer’ in the half marathon distance has been received with great enthusiasm in every city. Every woman who a run the 21km distance has an experienced runner accompanying her to help her achieve her goal and also provide safety on the route. Each pacer makes sure that the girl they are matched with is able to perform her best in the event that she has trained so hard for.
6. Medical/mammogram tags: Every single participant receives an offer of a free medical check-up, or a mammogram if the participant is over the age of 45. The tag attached to the Finisher medal received by every participant, can be used to get the free consultation/check-up/mammogram at a city hospital.
7. Green water stations: SBI Pinkathon is the first run in the country to provide a green hydration choice to the participants. The runners can choose to pick up a plastic bottle as is the regular practise, or choose to go green by using the more eco-friendly re-usable steel cups at special green hydration stations. By empowering participants to make the green choice, the SBI Pinkathon is able to reduce generated waste by a significant margin.
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