Zydus Pinkathon Makes a Grand Comeback in Pune After Seven Years, Re-energising the City’s Women’s Running Movement
Pune, February 3, 2026 : After a seven-year hiatus, the Zydus Pinkathon is set to return to Pune, marking a significant comeback for one of India’s largest women-centric running platforms. The last edition in the city was held in 2019. The official unveiling of the Pune chapter took place on Tuesday at Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences during a press conference attended by Pinkathon founder, actor and endurance icon Milind Soman; Ankita Konwar, founder of Invincible Women; and leading oncologist from Zydus Lifesciences, Dr. Tushar Patil.
This announcement also marks the launch of the Zydus Pinkathon 2025–26 nationwide season, which focuses on women’s fitness, preventive healthcare and inclusive participation. The Pune run will be held on April 5, 2026, at the AFMC Ground.
The announcement follows successful editions of the Pinkathon in Mumbai and Bengaluru this season, both of which saw strong participation, highlighting the growing influence of the movement across major Indian cities. In Pune, the platform returns with its signature emphasis on community and endurance, while also spotlighting women’s health—particularly awareness around early detection and regular self-breast examination.
The Pune edition will feature a powerful lineup of mascots representing the diversity and purpose of the Pinkathon movement. Mrunal Inamdar, dressed in a traditional nine-yard saree, will represent the Super 75 km category. Visually impaired runner Lalita Pawar will lead the Fabulous 50 km group. The 100 km category will be represented by 61-year-old ENT surgeon Dr. Neelam Vaidya, symbolising resilience and lifelong fitness. Cancer survivor Dr. Mitali Upadhyay will represent the 10 km run, while the Lifelong 5 km category will be represented by 87-year-old Usha Soman, mother of Pinkathon founder Milind Soman. The 3 km category will be represented by Mayuri Das, a mother running with her baby, highlighting the event’s spirit of inclusivity.
Speaking at the launch, Milind Soman said, “Pune has always had a strong running culture, and returning here after seven years feels especially meaningful. As this season travels across India, Pune stands out as a key stop that brings together community participation, competitive running and health awareness under one umbrella. This comeback reflects how much women’s running has grown in the country and how consistently women step forward when given the right platform.”
The Pune edition continues the Pinkathon’s strong association with health awareness initiatives, with renewed focus on preventive practices and breast cancer awareness. It reinforces the idea that fitness events can serve as long-term platforms for meaningful health dialogue, beyond just race day.
Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences, said, “Through the ‘Easiest Exam’ campaign, we aim to empower women with the knowledge that a simple three-minute self-examination every month can be life-saving. By partnering with Pinkathon, we want to reach more women, increase awareness and inspire collective action in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection has the power to save countless lives, and awareness is just as important as treatment.”
Ankita Konwar, founder of Invincible Women, added, “It’s heartening to see women embracing fitness not as a one-time event but as an integral part of their lives. In cities like Pune, there is a quiet yet strong commitment to showing up regularly, pushing personal boundaries and staying consistent. Pinkathon creates a structure where this mindset can grow across different distances, ages and stages of life.”
Adding to this, Dr. Tushar Patil, leading oncologist at Zydus Lifesciences, said, “It is inspiring to see women come together at the Zydus Pinkathon for both fitness and awareness. Staying active strengthens the body, while early screening is our strongest defence against breast cancer. A simple monthly self-check—just two hands and three minutes—can help identify warning signs early. In cities like Pune, such small yet consistent actions can truly save lives, and initiatives like Pinkathon play a vital role in taking these crucial conversations to the community.”
