In the long run...

Motivating them for the upcoming Pinkathon, Milind Soman urged women to take control of their own health

ROLE MODEL Milind Soman with Man Kaur, who won gold in a sprint event in the US last year

For archetypal Indian women mornings are full of hassle as they prepare breakfast, take care of their homes and in evenings prepare dinner for the entire family. If our mothers can run miles for us, why cannot she run a few for herself?

Reminding us this in his own argumentative style was our Ironman, Milind Soman, who recently announced the launch of the fifth edition of the women marathon to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 17th September.

The unique and creative idea behind Pinkathon is to encourage women to take few hours, or even minutes, to indulge in some form of physical activity which help them improve their health physically, mentally and spiritually. Milind says: “Pinkathon is more than a marathon. It is the seed of change and the beginning of a movement that is 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. The first step in empowerment is taking control of your own health, respecting yourself and understanding and celebrating the value you bring to your family and society. Empowerment is not a gift of society; it is a gift you give yourself.”

“A misleading fact about women’s life is that every activity they do whether it is for their children or spouse, they consider it as their daily dose of physical activity. Your physical activity shouldn’t be about anyone but yourself,” adds Milind.

Counselling sessions

Pinkathon is taking a few initiatives to make sure a healthy and fit life for all.

It is offering free health counselling sessions to all its participants as well as providing free mammogram to participants above 45 years of age. As women with babies also participate in the marathon, they are being provided with separate breast feeding booths.

Since two years, Meenu Madan, a proud breast cancer survivor who won her fight against the disease seven years back, has been associated with Pinkathon. Diagnosed with the second stage of cancer, she is now a proud 5 km runner . Another star runner is Pushpa Bahadur. Despite being deaf and partially visually impaired, she participates in the marathon.

Man Kaur, 101-year-old runner and gold medallist at American Masters Games last year, stole the event’s limelight. She made India proud by bagging gold medal in javelin throw and shot put. She says her secret of being eternally fit is her healthy and toxin free diet.