Bollywood star Bipasha Basu, a self-confessed fitness freak, on Thursday exhorted women to participate in big numbers in the annual Airtel Delhi Half Marathon-2012 which will be held here in the Capital on September 30.
Addressing a Press conference to announce the sporting-cum-charity event, Bipasha, the face of the event, announced that she will be promoting the “Bipasha Women’s Brigade” through the fifth edition of the marathon.
“A healthy and fit woman, be it a mother, wife, sister or daughter makes for a healthy and a fitter home, and this leads to a fitter society. Hence, when a woman makes fitness a part of her daily life it creates a change for the good. It is important to acknowledge the fact that a woman is the trendsetter,” she said.
Bipasha will soon be launching two fitness videos also. This is her third year with the marathon. “I enjoy coming to Delhi as I get to meet friends associated with this iconic event. The marathon is an amazing platform for providing a healthy and fitness-conscious society. And in this event we do a little bit of charity. I am deeply touched.”
Though she has been appealing to the young and the old to put on their running shoes, Bipasha has not participated in a marathon so far. “I try to run for the marathon but am stopped. One day, I will surely run the marathon… No matter whether you are rich or successful in your profession, if you are not healthy you are going to face problems. Therefore, the need of the hour is to invest in health by staying fit and regularly working out.”
According to Nidhi Singh of Concern India Foundation, children from marginalised background are able to establish their identity through the marathon. “We want to work for the betterment of the impoverished lot. So far, we have raised over Rs.10 crore and 200 non-government organisations have benefited from this. This year also our target is very high.”
Besides the marathon, the race day has been packed with the Great Delhi run, the senior citizen’s run and the wheelchair event, giving every Delhiite above the age of 12 a chance to emerge a winner.
Registrations for the marathon have opened and would close on August 31.
