After a seven-year hiatus, India’s largest women’s running platform is coming home. At a press conference held on the 3rd of February, founder and endurance icon Milind Soman, alongside Ankita Konwar and oncologist Dr. Tushar Patil, officially announced the return of the Zydus Pinkathon to Pune.
The event, set for April 5, 2026, at the AFMC Ground, marks a pivotal stop in the 2025-26 nationwide season. Beyond this, the movement continues its crusade for preventive health, specifically through its "Easiest Exam" campaign: a 3-minute monthly self-breast examination that can be life-saving.
The Pune edition spotlights diverse stories of resilience, proving that fitness knows no age, ability, or attire.
The partnership with Zydus Lifesciences prioritises the "Easiest Exam" initiative. Dr. Patel emphasized that early detection is the strongest defence against breast cancer. The event encourages women to spend just two hands and three minutes every month to check for warning signs.
Pune has always had a strong running culture. Coming back after seven years reflects how women’s running in India has grown and how consistently women show up when given the right space.
Milind Soman,
To join the movement, aspiring participants can register through the official Pinkathon website or through authorized community running groups across Pune. Registration typically opens several weeks before the event, offering categories ranging from the 3 km "Pink Ribbon Walk" to the elite 100 km ultra-marathon. Participants can choose their distance based on their fitness levels, and first-time runners are often supported by "Pinkathon Ambassadors" who lead training runs in local parks across the city leading up to race day on April 5.
