The announcement, made at Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences, follows the successful Mumbai and Bengaluru editions earlier this season, which drew large-scale participation and reinforced the Zydus Pinkathon’s growing footprint across major cities. In Pune, the platform returns with its signature mix of community and endurance formats, while continuing to spotlight women’s health, including awareness around early detection and regular self-breast examinations.

The Pune edition will feature a strong line-up of mascots that reflect the diversity and intent of the Zydus Pinkathon movement. Mrunal Inamdar will represent the Super 75 km category, taking on the distance in a traditional nauvari saree, while Lalita Pawar, a visually impaired runner, will lead the Fabulous 50 km category. The 100 km mascot will be Dr Neelam Vaid, a 61-year-old ENT surgeon, symbolising resilience and lifelong fitness. The 10 km run will be represented by Dr Mitali Upadhye, a cancer survivor, the Lifelong 5 km by Usha Soman, mother of Pinkathon founder Milind Soman, aged 87, and the 3 km category by Mayuri Das, a babywearing mother, highlighting inclusive participation.

Speaking at the unveiling, Milind Soman, Founder, Pinkathon, said, “Pune has always had a strong running culture, and coming back after seven years feels especially meaningful. As the platform continues its journey across India this season, Pune becomes an important stop, one that brings together community participation, competitive running, and health awareness under one umbrella. The return here reflects how women’s running in India has grown, and how consistently women continue to show up when given the right space.”

The Pune edition also continues the Zydus Pinkathon’s association with healthcare conversations, with a renewed focus on preventive practices and awareness around breast cancer, reinforcing the idea that fitness events can serve as platforms for long-term health dialogue beyond race day.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences, said, “With the Easiest Exam campaign, we seek to empower women with the knowledge that a simple 3-minute self-examination each month can make a life-saving difference.

Joining hands with Pinkathon, we aim to reach many more women, raise awareness, and inspire collective action in the fight against breast cancer. We believe that raising awareness on women’s health and Breast cancer remains equally vital, as early detection has the power to save countless lives.”

Ankita Konwar, Founder, Invincible Women, said, “What excites me is seeing women approach fitness as something they build into their lives, not something tied to a single event. In cities like Pune, there’s a quiet commitment to showing up regularly, pushing personal limits, and staying consistent. Pinkathon creates a structure where that mindset can grow across distances, ages, and stages of life.”

Adding to this, Dr Tushar Patil, leading oncologist, Zydus, said, “It’s inspiring to see women come together at Zydus Pinkathon for both fitness and awareness. While staying active strengthens the body, early screening is our strongest defence against breast cancer. A simple monthly self-exam, just two hands and three minutes, can help detect warning signs early. In cities like Pune, such small, consistent actions can truly save lives, and initiatives like Zydus Pinkathon help take these vital conversations into the community.”

The event is supported by a strong partner ecosystem led by Zydus as the Title Partner, and further strengthened by Lotus Herbals (Sunscreen Partner), Lifelong (Fitness Partner), Sirona (Hygiene Partner), and Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences (Hospitality Partner). Healthcare and wellness are reinforced through Fujifilm (Breast Health Partner), 3TENX (Hair Wellness Partner), alongside Bisleri (Hydration Partner), Zivame (Activewear Partner), and Tasty Nibbles (Tasty Meals Partner). The event is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) & Fit India. The experience is further enriched by Inc.5 (Gifting Partner), and Big FM (Radio Partner), with execution by Smiling Tiger Experiences LLP.

Continuing its 2025–26 journey, the Zydus Pinkathon builds on successful editions in Mumbai and Bengaluru, with upcoming runs scheduled across key cities, including Hyderabad and Delhi, carrying forward its commitment to making women’s health, fitness, and participation visible, accessible, and sustained.

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The management also organized pre-event runs in various parts of Goa, accompanied by special “how-to” workshops to help both novice and expert runners gear up for event day. Promoting the motto of equality and opportunity, the marathon stated that whether participants walked or ran, they would remain with all.

Ankit Yadav from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandrasmita Hazarika of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the men’s and women’s 42 km marathon. While Ankit timed an impressive 02: 49:19 hours, Chandrasmita clocked 03:48:04 hours for the distance.

In a day that was dominated by runners from both Maharashtra and Karnataka, Sachin Poojary of Udupi, Karnataka won the 32 km (20 miler) race in the men’s category with a time of 2:00:03 hrs, while Sapna Patel of Uttar Pradesh won the women’s category with a time of 2:30:12 hrs.  In the popular, 21km half marathon for men, Siddhesh Barje, last year’s winner from Dapoli, Maharashtra won with a time of 1:14:49 hrs, while Chandana Kalita of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the women’s race in the same category with a time of 1:44:43 hrs.

The 10 kms race, the men’s title went to Pradhan Kirulkar of Kolhapur, Maharashtra with a time of 32:06 minutes, while Farheen Firdose of Bengaluru, Karnataka won the women’s race in 45:33 minutes.  In the 5km race for school teams, the Lt Mayekar govt high school, Sada, Vasco won with a cumulative time of 01:21:37 hrs, while the Vidya Vihar HS, Cortalim won the girls category with a cumulative time of 01:58:34 hrs.

Speaking on the event’s success, Mukund Vasudevan, Managing Director, SKF India Ltd., said, “The SKF Goa River Marathon celebrates resilience, inclusivity, and community spirit. This year’s theme, ‘Steps for All,’ highlights the joy of running for everyone. We are proud of the remarkable turnout, showcasing growing enthusiasm across all demographics. As Title Sponsors, we promote sports for health and well-being. The energy was amazing, and it was great to see runners from India & around the world participating and celebrating the human spirit at the SKF GRM. Congratulations to all the winners, and I am glad that some of the winners were from remote locations in India.”

Nitin Bandekar, President, of Vasco Sports Club, added, “It has been a truly remarkable journey hosting the 14th edition of the SKF Goa River Marathon. The unwavering support from SKF India has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth execution and success of this event. We are deeply grateful to all the participants who joined us and made this marathon a celebration of fitness, community, and inclusivity. We look forward to continuing our partnership with SKF India and creating even more memorable experiences in the future.”

This year’s SKF Goa River Marathon witnessed participants from all walks of life, including elite runners, fitness enthusiasts, and first-timers, showcasing the power of running to unite and inspire. With breathtaking routes, vibrant energy, and meticulous organization, the marathon reaffirmed its status as a premier event on the national running calendar.

Rakesh Unny, Secretary, of Vasco Sports Club, concluded, “This year’s marathon has been a landmark edition, with the response to the recently launched unique event, the 20-miler, being much greater than in the first year. It shows that this niche event is a game changer for aspiring full marathoners. We are grateful to SKF and all our partners for their continued support in delivering an unforgettable experience for runners. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming even more participants next year.”

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SYDNEY: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, announced that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS has been officially recognized as an Abbott World Marathon Major (AWMM). This distinction places the TCS Sydney Marathon among the world’s most prestigious marathons. With this inclusion, TCS now sponsors five of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors – a series that includes the iconic marathons of Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Tokyo, and now, Sydney—further solidifying TCS’ unprecedented leadership in the global running landscape.

Wayne Larden, CEO of Pont3, Race Director, TCS Sydney Marathon, said, “We set out to create history together and take the TCS Sydney Marathon to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, and now we have achieved this incredible milestone through an incredible amount of work done by the Pont3 team and the collaboration with partners like TCS, the NSW Government, Destination NSW, and ASICS. Joining the Majors will create fundamental positive changes to the event and community. From significantly enhanced participation, visitation from international and interstate runners will turbocharge the economic impact of the event, we will also see significantly enhanced contributions to charities through our increased focus on fundraising.”

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS joins the list of races that marathon runners must compete in to achieve coveted recognitions and rewards, offering participants a unique opportunity to join a global network of elite runners.

Abhinav Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer at TCS, said, “This is a historic moment not just for the TCS Sydney marathon, and Australia, but for the global running community at large. This is only the second time that a race has been accorded this status since the founding of the majors in 2006, with Tokyo’s inclusion in 2013. We strongly believed in and supported Sydney’s candidature to become a Major, leading to our decision earlier this year to express this support through our title partnership. We are glad to see this dream become a reality and congratulate all our partners who worked hard on this effort. We are delighted to now be a proud partner to five of the seven most prominent races on our planet.”

TCS’ deep portfolio of marathon sponsorships spans 14 global running events across four continents, engaging over 600,000 participants annually. Through its title sponsorship of the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS Sydney Marathon and partnership roles in Boston and Chicago marathons, TCS continues to transform the runner and spectator experience through technological innovation and community involvement, raising over $130 million in charity annually.

As an Abbott World Marathon Major, the TCS Sydney Marathon will attract top marathon runners from around the world and significantly increase participation and investment, strengthening Sydney’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class sporting events. This achievement continues the legacy of the 2000 Sydney Olympics – the birthplace of the TCS Sydney Marathon and establishes Australia as home to the only major marathon in the Southern Hemisphere.

Vikram Singh, TCS Country Head of Australia & New Zealand, said, “We are proud to have played a role in the race’s elevation to world major status. The elevation of the TCS Sydney Marathon establishes the race as the first Abbott World Major in the southern hemisphere. The recognition parallels TCS’ growth story in Australia, one of its fastest-growing markets. We look forward to partnering on a global scale with the TCS Sydney Marathon to set a new standard in sustainability and in the way, technology can enhance marathons for participants and fans alike.” 

In its inaugural year as title sponsor, TCS has already made significant contributions to the Sydney Marathon. The 2024 event witnessed record-breaking participation with 25,000 participants, making it the largest marathon in Australian history. The TCS Sydney Marathon also made history with record-breaking performances, including the fastest marathon times ever recorded on Australian soil.

Honoring Indigenous heritage, TCS supported the appointment of a 2024 TCS Sydney Marathon Indigenous Running Ambassador, Wiradjuri woman, and Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) graduate, Hayley Pymont. The marathon also introduced the TCS Sydney Mini Marathon to promote youth engagement in running. TCS also partnered with the marathon organizers, and the NSW Department of Education, to encourage the next generation of runners and STEM students to develop sustainability solutions for the race, as part of the TCS Sydney Marathon goIT challenge. TCS further expanded its innovative Future Athlete Project by recruiting a group of IMF graduates to the program. This initiative is designed to uncover pioneering insights into heart health and athletic performance using digital twin technology.

TCS’ growing stature as a brand and its strong client relationships are evident in Australia. The company has a longstanding commitment of over 35 years in this market and serves as a digital partner to most of the top 10 listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). The company has operations in five locations across the country and has also been recognized among LinkedIn’s Top 25 companies to work for and as a top employer in the region by the Top Employers Institute.

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NEW DELHI: Back to grace the streets of the Capital City, the 19^th Edition of the World’s most prestigious Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2024 is ready to exemplify the vibrant spirit of Delhi and its citizens. Participants from around the globe will unite, championing the transformative power this event has on each one of us. Inspiring us to go beyond convention, beyond what’s expected, and beyond what’s possible, every participant will bring forth and add a unique color to all the celebrations on Sunday, October 20. The announcement was marked by a launch ceremony held in New Delhi yesterday where Ancy Sojan Edappilly, Asian Games 2022 Long Jump Silver Medallist showed her support for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon.

From Left to Right: Ms. Madhu Srivastava, CHRO, Vedanta Ltd, Ms. Ancy Sojan Edappilly, Asian Games 2022 Long Jump Silver Medallist, and Ms. Ritu Jhingon, President, Anil Agarwal Foundation at the launch ceremony of Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon

Registrations for the physical and virtual races of the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon have commenced at  https://vedantadelhihalfmarathon.procam.in/.  The World Athletics Gold Label Race, with USD 260,000 in prize money, will feature some of the fastest athletes competing alongside amateurs from across the globe. 

Vedanta has championed the cause of #RunForZeroHunger in the last two years of its association. For every kilometer run, it pledged to provide a meal to a child in need of better nourishment through its social impact initiatives under the Anil Agarwal Foundation.

Continuing the association this year, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd, who also leads social impact initiatives under AAF said, “It is that time of the year when the entire nation comes together to run for a cause, #RunforZeroHunger, at the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. For every kilometer run, we will contribute one meal and this year our aim is 5 million meals. Let’s come together and run to create a brighter, hunger-free future for India.”

As Vedanta continues to support #RunForZeroHunger, in this edition it has committed to go beyond children and also feed animals in need. Vedanta strongly believes that all beings deserve a better future and this extension through ‘Meals For All’, it will bring the collective strength of people towards a nourished India.

“We are thrilled to announce registrations for the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon, an event that continues to push the boundaries of athletic excellence and community engagement. This nineteen-year legacy has carved a way for inclusivity, philanthropy, and sustainable practices. United by a common purpose, and with the support of all stakeholders, we intend to scale new heights this year”, said Vivek Singh, Joint MD, Procam International.

Unique Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon Finisher Medal

This Finisher Medal honors and celebrates every participant’s hard work and zeal for running. The Finisher’s medal is made from the highest-grade Zinc that comes from Zawar Mines of Udaipur — the world’s largest and oldest mines in the heritage state of Rajasthan. The Zinc is produced by India’s leading Zinc producer – Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company.

Registration & Race Day Details

Registrations for all physical race categories—Half Marathon, Open 10K, Great Delhi Run (4.5 km), Senior Citizens’ Run (2.5 km), and Champions with Disability Run (2.5 km)—will start on Friday, July 19th, 2024, at 7:00 am Registration will stay open until 11:59 pm on Friday, September 20, 2024, or until all spots are filled, whichever comes first. 

To encourage more women to join, a limited number of spots are reserved for those who can’t provide a timing certificate or don’t meet the timing requirements listed on the event website.

The Half Marathon and the Police Cup will start at 5:00 am, followed by the Elite Men & Women Race at 7:00 am. The Champions with Disability & Senior Citizen Run at 7:05 am and the Great Delhi Run at 9:00 am. All the above race categories will start and end at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

The Open 10K will begin at 7:50 am from Sansad Marg and end at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. 

Virtual Run: People from around the globe can join the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon and participate virtually through the exclusive Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon app. The virtual race options include a Half Marathon, an Open 10K, and the Great Delhi Run (5 km). The registrations will remain open until 11:59 pm on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon is grateful for the unstinted support from the Government of NCT of Delhi, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports GOI, the Ministry of External Affairs GOI, the Ministry of Home Affairs GOI, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Athletics Delhi Police, New Delhi Municipal Corporation, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, The Indian Army, Raj Bhavan Delhi, World Athletics (WA), Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) and Global Sports Communication (GSC).

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Srinu Bugatha and Nirmaben Thakor top Indian finishers

CHENNAI: Ethiopian Hayle Lemi Berhanu became only the second athlete to defend the men’s crown in the history of the Tata Mumbai Marathon, a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, as he successfully crossed the finish line in 2:07:50.

With today’s victory, Lemi replicated the feat of the Kenyan runner John Kelai who won two back-to-back titles here during 2007-2008. 

After winning, Lemi, stated, “ It’s been an amazing run, am feeling extremely good. The best part is the support on the course. I was trying for the course record, but the last few km were a little tough.  

Lemi was among the dozen athletes who set off together in the lead bunch with compatriots Kinde Atanaw, and Haymanot Alew as pacer Dominic Ngeno did the front running.  Kenya’s Dickson Kiptoo and Alew briefly took the lead slightly ahead of the others to cover the first 20K in 60:30.

At 30K, the leading group became thinner with Kenyan Joshua Kogo and Ethiopia’s Mitku Tafa remaining with Lemi, Alew, and Kiptoo.  Both Lemi and Alew increased their pace and broke away from the rest thereafter.   Lemi, taking advantage of his previous experience on the Mumbai roads, started running fast and was alone in the last five kilometers.  With no one to push him, he had to make his assessment to run the waning stages of the race and hence missed an opportunity to improve his last year’s winning time and course record (2:07:32).  His teammates Haymnot Alew (2:09:03) and Mitku Tafa (2:09:58) took the next two places on the podium. 

Newcomer Aberash wins top prize on her debut

As in the previous edition, the Ethiopians dominated the scene once again and filled the podium spots in both men’s and women’s races.  While Lemi Berhanu was successful in defending the top spot among men, Anchialem Haymanot could not accomplish her ambition to win another title in Mumbai in the women’s race.

Haymanot, a pre-race favorite for the top spot, was running with the lead group of seven until midway and started showing fatigue thereafter to fall back to finish sixth (2:29:58).

Aberash Minsewo, who made her marathon debut here, started her career as a middle-distance runner and won the World Youth (U18) championships 3,000m gold in Nairobi in 2017.  Having pocketed a bronze medal at the same distance in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires the following year, she started taking part in the road races in 2021. 

She made her first appearance in India last year. Minsewo finished twelfth in the TCS World 10K in Bengaluru and barely missed the podium on her fourth-place finish in the Delhi Half-Marathon thereafter.

“I was so happy to win my first-ever marathon title on debut”, Minsewo said in the post-event press briefing.  With three Ethiopians with similar first names (Aberash) taking the starting line, no one imagined the grand prize would go to the 22-year-old runner.  However, Minsewo took the lead right from the beginning to the surprise of the rest and maintained her tempo throughout the race.  Her country-mates Ayinadis Teshome, Muluhabt Tsega, and Medhin Bejene trying to challenge her in the major part of the race.

With just 2K to go for the finish, Minsewo emerged as a clear leader with Tsega following her behind in a short distance.  The winner clocked 2:26:06 to become victorious on her debut with Tsega (2:26:51) and Bejene (2:27:34) completing the podium. 

Srinu and Nirmaben are top Indian finishers        

Bugatha Srinu (2:17:29) and Thakor Nirmaben (2:47:11) were the top Indian finishers among men and women respectively.  

Srinu, who hails from Vijayanagaram in Andhra Pradesh, became the first Indian runner to finish within the top 10 in Mumbai with his eighth-place finish today.  Nirmaben from Gujarat, who finished 16th here last year improved her position with a 10th-place finish this time and rapidly improved her personal best to 2:47:11 from 3:08:33 last year.  The Indian winners took home INR 5,00,000 lakhs each. 

Sawan Barwal (1:05:07) and Amrita Patel (1:19:20) took the half-marathon titles in their respective categories.

Elite winners Hayle Lemi and Aberash Minsewo went home with USD 50,000 top prize from a total prize pot of USD 405,000.

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Earlier this year, Berhanu clocked 2:07:32 and Haymanot logged an incredible 2:24:15 on her debut, to win in Mumbai with new event records. Later, Haymanot improved her timing to 2:22:23 in Amsterdam while finishing sixth where Berhanu posted a season-best 2:05:48 to finish at fifth.

Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Hayle Said “I won the 2023 edition of the Mumbai marathon under perfect conditions. It was indeed a surprise and unexpected win at that time. But I want to make sure that I replicate my victory in January as I’m confident of finishing on top in 2024“.

However, it will not be an easy task for both runners to wrest their titles again in 2024. As many as six other men and two other women runners who had personal bests superior to the current Mumbai course records have entered the fray to challenge the reigning champions.

The US $405,000 prize money event will witness some of the finest athletes take centre-stage at the Tata Mumbai Marathon. With equal prize money for men and women winners, the first three in each race stand to win US $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000. The USD 15,000 bonus also awaits those who break the existing event records.

Ethiopian Kinde Atanw (30), who is credited with a PB of 2:03:51–that he achieved while winning the Valencia Marathon in 2019–will be the leading name among the men. Incidentally, Atanaw finished third during the World 10K in Bengaluru way back in 2014 on his previous appearance in India.

Lelisa Desisa, the 2019 World Champion, together with four fellow Ethiopian runners and Eritrean Merhawi Kesete will give Hayle Lemi a run for his money this time. Kesete finished ninth in Mumbai in 2020.

Desisa, who had his earlier appearances in India through the TCS World 10K Bengaluru, where he finished third in 2011, and Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon in three consecutive years (2010-2012, including a victory in 2010) is credited with the second-fastest time (2:04:45) among those men who entered for the 2024 race. On his numerous international ventures, Desisa also captured two Boston marathon wins besides a title victory in New York among the big ones.

The women’s line-up includes two Ethiopians and one Kenyan runner to make it tough for Anchialem in the upcoming race in Mumbai. Country-mates Tadelech Bekele, the 2018 London Marathon podium finisher, and Sofia Assefa–the 2012 London Olympics steeplechase silver medalist who clocked an impressive 2:23:33 on her marathon debut in Amsterdam this October will be the main challenge to the defending champion.

Speaking about returning to the Tata Mumbai Marathon, Anchialem Said “I ran my maiden marathon in Mumbai and was lucky to win the race. I am eager to repeat the feat once again in 2024“

Commenting on this year’s field, Vivek Singh, Jt. MD. Procam International said, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon continues to attract some of the finest athletes in the world. It is also a matter of great pride to have our defending champions back and this year, with Kinde Atanaw & Tadelech Bekele we have one of the fastest fields we have ever had at the event. We are sure to have some scintillating action on the course.”

The Tata Mumbai Marathon is one of the designated marathon races to qualify for the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

INTERNATIONAL ELITE ATHLETES FOR TMM 2024

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For more information about the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2024 visit, https://tatamumbaimarathon.procam.in/

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Preparations for the marathon are already underway, with local athletes training hard to compete against international runners. The event is expected to take place at the Baburao Sanas Sports Ground, with the race starting in the morning and continuing throughout the day.

The Pune International Marathon is a highly anticipated event, with athletes from around the world eager to participate. The event is expected to draw a large crowd of spectators, with organizers working hard to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

In addition to the marathon, there will be other events and activities taking place throughout the day, including cultural performances and food stalls. The event promises to be a celebration of sport and culture, bringing together people from all walks of life.

The Pune International Marathon is an exciting event that promises to showcase the best of Pune and the international running community. With preparations already underway, athletes and spectators alike are eagerly anticipating the big day.

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PUNE: The 12th edition of the JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon (JBG SHHM), organized by the Satara Runners Foundation, concluded on September 3rd, 2023, with resounding success. This non-profit organization once again brought together running enthusiasts from across the nation for a thrilling and challenging experience. The event featured an “Out & Back” course and was flagged off from Police Ground Satara at 6.30 am on Sunday by Satara MP Shri Udayan Raje Bhonsle, Satara Collector Jitendra Dudi and Gaurav Jajodia Director of Jai Balaji Group. This year’s marathon embraced the theme of “Sarve Dhavakaha Kutumbakam” or “All Runners Are One Family,” fostering unity and camaraderie among participants. With over 7500 registrations, the event marked its significance as India’s third-largest half marathon and one of the most demanding in the country, attracting 5985 participants from all over India. The 12th JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon was proudly presented by the Jai Balaji Group as the title sponsor and powered by Skechers.

The event featured exceptional athletes, with 4,191 athletes securing the bronze medal, 1,406 athletes achieving silver, and 388 athletes clinching the gold. Anant Gaonkar (From   Belgaum) emerged as the winner in the marathon in the open male category, clocking a remarkable finishing time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 14 seconds. Meanwhile, Vrushali Uttekar (Form Pune) claimed the top spot in the Open female category, completing the race in 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 19 seconds. Mohit Singh secured the second position in the open male category, and Vadde Navya achieved the same feat in the open female category, with finishing times of 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 20 seconds, and 1 hour, 37 minutes, and 42 seconds, respectively. Vishal Kambire and Manisha Joshi both earned the third position in their respective categories, finishing the race in 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 32 seconds, and 1 hour, 41 minutes, and 33 seconds, respectively. A prize of ₹50,000, ₹30,000, and ₹20,000, along with a winner’s trophy and certificates, was awarded to the first, second, and third-place finishers in both the male and female categories.  Many distinguished personalities like ADGP Ravinder Singal,  IG Krishna Prakash, and SP of Satara Police Samir Shaikh,  added prestige to this adventurous run. The event also witnessed 1034 women participants making it the second-highest number of female runners among half marathons in the country.

Dr. Sandeep Kate, Founder of the Satara Runners Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude, saying, “We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response and dedication of all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors who have contributed to the success of the 12th Satara Hill Half Marathon. This event has always been about more than just running; it’s about building a community of passionate individuals who believe in fitness and well-being. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for your active participation.“

Gaurav Jajodia, Director of Jai Balaji Group, the title sponsor, also shared his joy in being a major part of this event, stating, “It’s an honor to be associated with the Satara Hill Half Marathon. This event reflects our commitment to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. We are delighted to witness the dedication and spirit of the participants, and we look forward to continuing our support.“

Established in 2012, the JBG Satara Hill Half Marathon has become one of India’s largest community-organised marathon events. It holds the Guinness World Record for “The most people in a single mountain run.” With a rich legacy, JBG SHHM stands as the third-largest event in India, following the Tata Mumbai Marathon and the Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon. Proceeds from JBG SHHM are directed towards enhancing the participant experience, including a 16-week training program and event memorabilia. In addition, the Satara Runners Foundation hosted a pre-event JBG SHHM expo on the 1st and 2nd of September 2023 (spanning 2 days), providing a platform for Local Runners and Outstation Runners to collect their Race Kit/BIB. The event also contributes to the community by establishing open gyms and street workout stations in Satara, promoting a culture of fitness and well-being. The event’s website has received over 35,000 visits during registration days, and it has garnered the support of 600+ members and volunteers.

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PUNE: As part of the International Women’s Day celebration, Freerunners Charitable Trust will organize the 5^th edition of the Pune Women’s Half Marathon on March 12^th, 2023.

The Freerunners Charitable Trust (‘FCT’) was founded in Pune by Commander Jeetendran Nair IN (Retd) in 2015 with a dream to promote health and fitness within the community. The FCT conducts free fitness programs such as aerobic running, strength training, and yoga every day for people from various sections of society. Besides, FCT also carries out regular social and charitable activities such as food, clothes, sanitary napkins, and stationery distribution drives for the underprivileged, educational talks on relevant topics, raising funds during natural calamities, e-waste collections, etc.

Addressing the media, Manisha Sahoo, Race Director, PWHM said, “This year, in the 5^th edition which will be held on March 12^th, 2023, we are expecting around 5000 women participants and are happy to see more and more women taking their health seriously.  Women play different important roles in everyone’s lives i.e. as mother, wife, daughter, sister, etc., and are always the key to keeping the entire family together and going.  In today’s world, most women play dual roles and lead the corporate world and also manage their homes beautifully, so it is even more important for them to take care of their health and regime.”

“Communities, countries, and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women. It is our mission to encourage women from every stratum of society to believe in themselves and get out there to take fitness into their own hands thereby creating a healthy community globally.”

“The mission of the event has and will always be women’s health, as that leads to the growth of our nation. Women healthy in body, spirit, and mind make sure their environment reflects that. PWHM is organized exclusively for women and is a celebration of the ability of each woman to transform generations by transforming herself. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned runner, young or old, whether you are here to run or just have fun, we have a race category for all. The marathon, which is a platform to bring all women from different walks of life to experience the benefits of a healthy lifestyle will start from the Pune Rural Police Ground, Doctor Homi Bhabha Road, Chavan Nagar, Pune on 12th March 2023 at 5.30 am for the 21kms race, 6.00 am for the 10kms race and the fun run of 5kms will be flagged off at 7 am on an AIMS certified route.” she further added.

The event is open to women and girls of all ages and will include a walk/jog fun run for 5 km and Timed Runs for 10km and 21km on an AIMS-certified route.  Each participant shall be given a Tee-shirt and a finisher’s medal. Additionally, participants of the 10km and 21km will receive e-certificates.

A fun Zumba session and hot breakfast are the other added attractions. Also, free training sessions for the participants who register for the event are being conducted at Wanowrie, Undri, Baner, Balewadi, Pune University, Karve Nagar, and Sahakar Nagar.

Bajaj Finserv is supporting this event as an Associate Partner, Energy Partner is Fast N Up, the Training partners are Jayanagar Jaguars, Juvenate Wellbeing is the Nutrition Education Partner and Blutech Media is the Marketing Partner.

Women and girls of all age groups are encouraged to participate in large numbers in this mega carnival. For registration please visit – https://www.townscript.com/e/pune-womens-half-marathon-041400

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