Women’s Fitness Gains a Larger Platform as Milind Soman and Zydus Unveil Pinkathon Hyderabad with New Mascots and Invincible Women

The event highlights women who have overcome personal challenges including cancer survivors, visually impaired runners and endurance athletes chosen as category mascots.

Pinkathon will return to Hyderabad for its sixth edition in February with a renewed focus on breast cancer awareness, preventive health and inclusive participation. Led by Milind Soman and supported by Zydus Lifesciences, the event has evolved into one of India’s most visible platforms for women’s fitness and community driven health education. The upcoming edition on fifteen February at People’s Plaza continues this trajectory by introducing new mascots, new voices and a greater emphasis on resilience and representation within the running community.
The Hyderabad announcement marks a significant chapter for the Pinkathon movement, which began in 2012 under the leadership of Milind Soman. The initiative was built with a belief that women deserve safe, welcoming and supportive spaces to pursue fitness, regardless of age, background or experience. Over the past thirteen years, Pinkathon has encouraged more than half a million women to take part in organised running events across India. It has also funded breast screenings for thousands of participants and raised more than one crore rupees to support underprivileged cancer patients. With Zydus joining the initiative this season through a preventive health partnership, Pinkathon aims to deepen awareness about early detection and self examination.

The 2025 to 2026 season will run across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi. In Hyderabad, the announcement event hosted by Park Hyatt served as a preview to the themes and stories that will shape the upcoming edition. Joining the platform this year is Invincible Women, founded by Ankita Konwar. The initiative champions endurance running for women and advocates for a mindset where physical activity is framed as a pathway to independence, self belief and holistic wellbeing. Her association with Pinkathon builds upon the shared goal of helping women prioritise their health by breaking down social, psychological and cultural barriers.
A defining part of this year’s Hyderabad narrative is its set of category mascots. These individuals represent the spirit of Pinkathon through lived experience rather than athletic achievement alone. Poonam Metta will serve as the mascot for the one hundred kilometre category, symbolising endurance at the highest level. Devyani Haldar will represent the seventy five kilometre category, while Leena Roy will stand for fifty kilometres. Their presence highlights a growing interest among women in long distance and ultra distance formats in India.

The event also honours stories grounded in everyday courage. For the ten kilometre category, Mardaku Anitha will serve as mascot, representing visually impaired runners who continue to redefine what participation can look like. For the Lifelong five kilometre category, Sarita Sarkar, a cancer survivor, will stand as a reminder that movement and recovery can coexist. For the three kilometre category, Preety Khanna will represent babywearing mothers, affirming that fitness can adapt to different stages of life. This diverse lineup underlines the idea that there is no single profile of a Pinkathon participant. Instead, it celebrates women who bring their own motivations and challenges to the start line.
Addressing the media at the announcement, Milind Soman described Pinkathon as a celebration of women choosing themselves. He emphasised that Hyderabad has consistently shown enthusiasm for the event and that this edition offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen conversations around breast cancer. He noted that the partnership with Zydus will extend Pinkathon’s ability to reach women with timely information about early detection and self care.

Ankita Konwar added that Invincible Women aims to provide a supportive space for women who want to test their physical capabilities and expand their confidence. Speaking at the event, she encouraged women in Hyderabad to join the run and engage with the resources and conversations around preventive health. The shared goal across both platforms is to encourage regular self checks, open discussions and proactive health behaviours.
The focus on preventive health is reinforced by Zydus through its Easiest Exam campaign. The initiative aims to popularise a simple three minute monthly breast self exam that can help identify changes at an early stage. In India, where breast cancer continues to affect lakhs of women every year, early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes. Dr Mohana Vamsy, a surgical oncologist, underscored this during the announcement by noting that many cases are still detected late and that awareness can significantly alter the course of treatment and survival. She spoke about the importance of addressing cultural discomfort and building familiarity with self examination so that women feel confident about seeking clinical support.

Dr Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences, reaffirmed the company’s belief that timely awareness can save lives. He explained that the organisation’s purpose is to help people live healthier and more fulfilled lives and that breast health is a central part of that commitment. By joining hands with Pinkathon, Zydus aims to extend its message to a broader community of women and encourage them to make preventive care a personal priority.
Over the years, Pinkathon has also experimented with formats that encourage participation from women who may not identify as athletes. Initiatives such as the Saree Run, Grandmothers ten kilometre run, Babywearing Mothers Walk and Midnight Fearless Run have demonstrated that fitness events can be inclusive without compromising their structure. These community driven activities will continue across Hyderabad in the months leading up to the main run. Each activation is designed to break stereotypes, expand comfort zones and bring more women into a shared space of movement and support.

The Hyderabad edition is supported by an extensive network of partners. Zydus Lifesciences joins as the Title Partner, Healthy Master as the Healthy Snacking Partner, Lotus Herbal as the Sunscreen Partner, and Lifelong as the Fitness Partner. Sirona contributes as the Hygiene Partner, and Park Hyatt supports as the Hospitality Partner. Fujifilm strengthens the event as the Breast Health Partner. Support from SAI and Fit India adds institutional legitimacy, while Inc 5 contributes as the Gifting Partner. Execution is led by Smiling Tiger Experiences, known for its experience in large scale participatory sporting events across India.

Through these partnerships and narratives, the sixth edition of Pinkathon Hyderabad reinforces its purpose as more than a run. It is a reminder that fitness can be a unifying space for empowerment. It is a call for early detection. It is a platform where stories of resilience are given room to be seen and heard. And when the event begins on fifteen February, it will reflect a community that continues to grow through solidarity and shared intent.
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