Sixth Edition of COLORS Pinkathon Mumbai 2017 to be held on Dec 17 at BKC

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: Super model, actor, Ultraman and Pinkathon founder Milind Soman formally announced the launch of the Sixth Edition of COLORS Pinkathon Mumbai 2017 to be held on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at R2, MMRDA Grounds, BKC at a press conference held in Mumbai.

Pinkathon- Empowering Indian Women, India's biggest women’s run to encourage and promote fitness & health among women and create awareness for Breast Cancer, Bone health, Thyroid disorder and other issues relating to women’s health is supported by United Sisters Foundation and promoted by Maximus MICE & Media Solutions. Online registrations for the multi-category run are open at www.pinkathon.in/mumbai for the VWashPlus3km, 5km & Tata Salt Lite10km run and for the 21km distance drop a mail on info@pinkathon.in.

COLORS Pinkathon in Mumbai has received huge response from corporate sponsors like Colors, Bajaj Electricals, TATA Salt Lite, VWash Plus, Reebok, Apollo Foundation, Red FM, Bisleri. Bajaj Electricals will be planting 1000 trees to commemorate the ‘Pinkathon going green’ in Mumbai. Committed to encourage progress of women and move forward in life, India’s leading entertainment channel, COLORS has extended full partnership towards this cause by partaking in spreading the message of ‘wellbeing of women’ through this initiative. Through the TATA Salt Lite 10 km run, Tata Salt Lite reinstates the importance of taking control of one’s own health and nurturing oneself. As a part of the brand’s association with COLORS Pinkathon, Active Living Partner Tata Salt Lite also launched its #GoActive Campaign through two digital films. The campaign inspires every woman, irrespective of her societal and financial status, to commit to an active lifestyle and take up running. A crusader for women empowerment, Raj Nayak, COO – Viacom18 said, “Initiatives like Pinkathon are a great way to boost the confidence of women and strengthen the belief that women can do wonders! COLORS Pinkathon not only works for the wellbeing of women but also encourages meaningful participation of women in all aspects of life. COLORS has always lauded the contribution of women in a big way, be it at workplace or through the content it showcases. With such associations we envisage a better future for our women who nurture and shape us.”

Pinkathon founder Milind Soman said, “We are very excited to bring COLORS Pinkathon to Mumbai once again for the sixth time. We are confident the city and its people will support us and help make this run a humungous success. 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, 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.” The fitness icon further added, “Fitness is liberating. If a culture of regular exercise and fitness must take root in India, our women need to become aware about the benefits of fitness. They need to be able to get out and run, which doesn't happen enough due to various cultural reasons. We now organize Pinkathon in eight cities. More than 8000 women run at each of these events at the VWashplus3km, 5km, Tata Salt Lite 10km and 21km distances. They run in running gear but also in sarees, salwarkameez, hijabs or whatever attire they deem fit and keeps them comfortable.”

As a precursor to the main day, the team is organising unique events such as the Cancer Shero Trek for the cancer survivors. Starting with a trek, this event felicitates the inspiring Cancer Survivors honouring them with an “I Inspire” medal. In COLORS Pinkathon Mumbai, 50 visually impaired girls would be participating in the different run categories. To prepare them for the main day, unique training sessions are designed with the help & coordination of sighted runners. COLORS Pinkathon Mumbai - Inspiring Partners Bajaj Electricals is organising special training runs in various parts of Mumbai for the registered participants who have requested training for the main day.

Fatema Shivanand Manthalkar, a 51 years visually impaired woman was announced as the mascot for the visually impaired squad who will be the running the VWashPlus 3km. 30 hearing impaired girls would be also participating in the VWashPlus 3km category. Sonali Patil, a Cancer Survivor, was announced as the mascot for the 5KM category run and Mallika Dua was announced mascot for Tata Salt Lite10 km.

As one-of-a-kind initiative, every single participant can choose to avail of a free gynaec consultation from Healthcare partner Apollo Foundation or a free Mammogram if the participant is above 45 years of age, the same is also transferrable.

Milind Soman also highlighted the concept of Pinkathon Ambassadors in every city who are passionate, extraordinary, committed men & women connecting for one cause – ‘health for every woman’. Each Pinkathon Ambassador is a part of the Pinkathon core team and registers all the women in their circle of influence. Pinkathon inspires everyone who believe that together, we can do more. Various initiatives are undertaken by the Pinkathon Ambassadors to connect with women across various strata of the society. ‘Pinkathon goes to School’ is another interesting concept to encourage Mother-daughter teams to run together. The idea is to encourage health & fitness at every age. There are over 300 Pinkathon ambassadors across cities working selflessly towards promotion the cause.

The focus of India’s biggest women’s only running event, is to encourage an active lifestyle and overall fitness amongst women, while creating a much needed awareness about breast cancer and bone health and encourage thousands of new or first-timer women to take up running. All proceeds raised from the event will be used for the expenses incurred in organizing and marketing the event, and by the Women's Cancer Initiative in its fight against breast cancer. The official website for COLORS Pinkathon is www.pinkathon.in through which participants can register online. Twitter Handle: @pinkathon10k

Present eminent dignitaries like Raj Nayak, COO, Viacom 18, Reema Sanghavi (Co-Founder Pinkathon & MD - Maximus Mice & Media Solutions Pvt Ltd), Actress, Comedian and Writer MallikaDua, Sagar Boke, Head - Marketing, Consumer Products Business, Tata Chemicals, Devieka Bhojwani (Vice President – Women’s Cancer Initiative), Dr. Shishir Shetty (Apollo Hospitals) and 101-year-old Mann Kaur, an Indian track – and – field athlete, she holds the world record in the over 100 years old categories along with three COLORS Pinkathon mascots who expressed their wholehearted support for the noble cause.

Pinkathon has won several national and international awards such as WOW Awards for Best Festival of the Year & Best Sports Event of the Year and EEMAX Global for Best Public Event of the Year for ticketed and non-ticketed category.

About Maximus Mice & Media Solutions:

Founded by Reema Sanghavi (Managing Director) & Milind Soman (Director) in 2008. Pinkathon – Empowering Indian Women, like all other Maximus is characterized with their trademark of effective brand communication & fiery enthusiasm. Maximus has been supporting the cause since its inception and working constantly to take it to greater heights. Both Reema and Milind feel very strongly for the cause and have worked diligently to make this a national entity that resonates with the women across India.

About ‘COLORS’:

‘COLORS’ is Viacom18’s flagship brand in the entertainment space in India. A combination of ‘emotions’ and ‘variety’, COLORS, launched on 21^st July 2008, offers an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers. From Fiction Shows to Format shows to Reality shows to Blockbuster Movies – the basket contains all ‘JazbaatKe Rang’. ‘COLORS’ is dedicated to promoting ‘Cohesive viewing’, through programmes like Thapki…Pyaar Ki, Devanshi, SasuralSimarKa, Shakti…AstitvaKeEhsaasKii, Udann, ChakravartinAshokaSamrat, Swaragini, Kasam…TerePyaar Ki, Krishndasi, Kawach…KaaliShaktiyon Se, JhalakDikhhlaJaa, Comedy Nights BachaoTaaza, Nagin 2, Bigg Boss, 24, Shani and Dil Se…DilTak amongst others.

About ‘VIACOM 18’:

Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India's fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of iconic brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of Viacom Inc. and the Network18 Group, Viacom18 defines entertainment in India by touching people on air, online, on ground, in shop and through its cinema

About Women’s Cancer Initiative – Tata Memorial Hospital (WCI-TMH)

Devieka Bhojwani started WCI-TMH in 2003, in partnership with Tata Memorial Hospital, and has been designed to take care of various issues related to cancers in womensuch as breast, cervical & ovarian cancers.

The foundation has undertaken numerous initiatives to create awareness and emphasize the importance of early detection. It aids R&D on the causes and cures of the disease, as well as facilitates interaction between professionals through annual breast cancer conferences. The foundation also financially supports over 500 women annually who areunable to afford their treatment but have over an 80% chance of recovery.