Milind Soman: Many women are more comfortable running in sarees than in shorts or tights | Mumbai News
India’s biggest women’s run celebrated the spirit of Diwali with colour, energy, and purpose at the Diwali Pahat Saree Run earlier this week. Over a hundred women draped in vibrant sarees joined Pinkathon founder Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar at Mumbai’s Worli Promenade for a 5km run that beautifully blended fitness, festivity, and community.The morning began with a high-energy Zumba session that set the pace for the cheerful run along the sea-facing promenade. The event is part of a series of pre-Pinkathon initiatives leading up to the 10th Mumbai Pinkathon, scheduled for December 21 at the MMRDA Grounds, BKC.Speaking at the event, Milind Soman said, “We’re here today for the Diwali Pahat Saree Run to celebrate Diwali in a healthy and fit way. From the beginning, Pinkathon has believed in inclusivity—many women are more comfortable running in sarees than in shorts or tights, so we said the clothes you wear should never stop you from fitness. The saree run began years ago and has now become a proud part of Pinkathon. It’s wonderful to see women taking their first steps towards fitness and now running 50 and even 100 kilometres.”The Saree Run reinforced Pinkathon’s philosophy that fitness and culture can coexist seamlessly — that health can be celebrated in any form or attire. The initiative also spotlighted women’s health and preventive awareness, encouraging monthly self-breast exams for early detection of breast cancer.Echoing the spirit of empowerment, Ankita Konwar, Founder of Invincible Women, shared, “Running in a saree with so many women this morning shows that women can do anything we set our minds to. Our history is filled with women who changed society and that spirit continues today. Pinkathon has always been about inclusivity. No matter where you come from, you always belong here.”Founded in 2012 under Milind Soman’s vision, Pinkathon has evolved into a nationwide movement empowering women through running. With over half a million participants, it has facilitated free breast screenings, raised over ₹1 crore for underprivileged patients, and built a 300-city ambassador network. Through unique formats like the Saree Run, Babywearing Mothers’ Walk, and Cancer Shero Walk, Pinkathon continues to redefine women’s running as a safe, inclusive, and inspiring community.
