New Delhi witnessed a powerful celebration of fitness, resilience and community spirit on International Women’s Day as nearly 6,000 women gathered at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the eighth edition of Zydus Pinkathon Delhi on March 8, 2026.
Returning to the capital after a gap of more than six years, the women-only run transformed the early hours of the morning into a vibrant movement advocating health awareness and empowerment.
The event began at 5:30 am, bringing together women from all walks of life from first-time runners to seasoned endurance athletes. Participants competed across a wide range of categories, including 3 km, Lifelong 5 km, 10 km, and ultradistance formats such as 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and a 100 km relay. The variety of race formats ensured that women of all abilities and experience levels could take part in the celebration of fitness.
A Platform for Inclusion and Determination
One of the defining aspects of Pinkathon has always been its commitment to inclusivity, and the 2026 Delhi edition once again showcased the diversity of women participating in the event.
Among the most inspiring moments of the day was the participation of a visually impaired runner competing in the demanding 50 km ultradistance category, along with a visually impaired team taking part in the 100 km relay. Their presence highlighted the spirit of determination that defines the Pinkathon movement.
The event also saw infant-carrying mothers participating in the 3 km category with their babies, while grandmothers, cancer survivors, and long-distance runners shared the same starting line. The unique mix of participants created a powerful reminder that running and fitness are accessible to women across age groups and backgrounds.
The run was graced by Ashish Sood, Minister for Home, Education, Sports, Power and Urban Development in the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, who attended the event and acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in promoting health awareness.
Competitive Performances Across Race Categories
While the event focused primarily on participation and community spirit, several athletes delivered strong performances across the race categories. In the 3 km race, Kriti Sharma claimed the top spot with a timing of 17:31, narrowly ahead of Sanjana Kumari, who finished second in 17:45. Kiran Singh secured the third position with a timing of 18:33.
The Lifelong 5 km race saw Aayushi Gupta emerge victorious with a time of 24:37. Sarika Yadav finished second in 24:59, while Shillaza Girdhar completed the podium in third place with 28:51. In the 10 km category, Pooja delivered an impressive performance to finish first in 40:45. Gayatri Mathur finished second with a timing of 45:53, while Nikita Rathee secured third place in 46:49.
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These performances reflected the growing competitive depth among women runners in India, with Pinkathon continuing to provide an important platform for both amateur and experienced athletes.
Speaking after the event, Milind Soman, founder of Pinkathon, reflected on the significance of the gathering and the energy displayed by participants.
“Watching nearly 6,000 women gather at 5:30 in the morning at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on International Women’s Day is incredibly powerful,” Soman said. “Delhi has always shown heart, and today we saw courage, consistency, and community come together again. From first-time 3 km participants to ultrarunners and visually impaired athletes competing in the 50 km and 100 km relay, this edition truly reflected what Pinkathon stands for inclusion, endurance, and long-term commitment to health.”
Pinkathon has grown significantly since its inception in 2012, evolving into India’s largest women’s running movement. Over the years, the initiative has encouraged hundreds of thousands of women across the country to adopt running and prioritize their health.
Promoting Preventive Healthcare
The 2026 edition of the run was held under the title partnership of Zydus Lifesciences, which used the platform to promote awareness around preventive healthcare through its “Easiest Exam” campaign. The initiative encourages women to perform regular self-breast examinations, highlighting the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.
Meha Patel, Vice Chairperson of the Zydus Foundation, emphasized the importance of health awareness in her address during the event.
“Health is the foundation of every family’s well-being,” Patel said. “With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer, awareness and vigilance are essential. Self-breast examination is a simple step that can help detect the disease early and save lives. The energy at today’s Delhi run shows how initiatives like Zydus Pinkathon and the Easiest Exam campaign are turning awareness into action.”
Over the years, more than 50,000 women have participated in Pinkathon’s previous Delhi editions. The strong turnout in 2026 signaled a renewed enthusiasm for community fitness events in the capital. Ankita Konwar, founder of Invincible Women, highlighted the diversity of participants as one of the most inspiring aspects of the day.
“What stood out this morning was the diversity of participation young runners, seasoned athletes, mothers running with their babies, grandmothers, and visually impaired participants pushing extraordinary limits,” Konwar said. “Endurance is built over time, and events like Pinkathon give women the confidence to keep progressing. Delhi showed that fitness is not a one-day goal, but a lifelong journey.”
A Nationwide Movement
The Delhi event was supported by a wide ecosystem of partners, including Aspect Sports, Lotus Herbals, Lifelong, Sirona, Hyatt Regency Delhi, Fujifilm, Fortis Healthcare, Bisleri, Zivame, Accenture, SAI, and FIT India, among others. Organized by Smiling Tiger Experiences, the event marked an important milestone in Pinkathon’s 2025–26 calendar. Following the Delhi edition, the Pinkathon movement will continue its journey across India, with the next event scheduled in Pune on April 5.
More than just a race, Pinkathon continues to grow as a nationwide movement encouraging women to embrace fitness, build confidence, and take charge of their health one run at a time.
