Zydus Pinkathon Returns to Chennai After Seven Years, Promotes Women's Health with August 1-2 Run

Chennai, July 9, 2026: Zydus Pinkathon is set to make its much-awaited return to Chennai after a gap of seven years, bringing together thousands of women for a celebration of health, fitness, and empowerment. The event was officially unveiled at a press conference hosted at Hyatt Regency Chennai on Thursday, with founders, partners, and inspiring women who will lead the movement on race day in attendance.

Scheduled for August 1 and 2 at Island Grounds, the Chennai edition will feature race categories for women of all ages and fitness levels, including 3 km, Lifelong 5 km, 10 km, 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and the 100 km relay.

Encouraging Women to Prioritise Health Through Fitness

The Chennai edition continues the mission of Zydus Pinkathon to make women's health and fitness more visible while encouraging preventive healthcare. Since its inception, the movement has inspired nearly one million women across India to embrace running as a pathway to confidence, community engagement, and long-term well-being.

The event will also continue its awareness initiative, The Easiest Exam, encouraging women to perform regular self-breast examinations for the early detection of breast cancer.

"Every city adds a new chapter to the Zydus Pinkathon journey, and returning to Chennai after 7 years is particularly special. We've always believed that when women come together through fitness, they inspire change not just in themselves but within their families and communities as well. We look forward to seeing Chennai once again embrace this movement and celebrate the many stories of strength that will unfold on race day," said Milind Soman, Founder, Pinkathon.

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. Zydus Pinkathon aims 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."

Inspirational Chennai Mascots Announced

The organisers also introduced the official mascots for the Chennai edition, each representing resilience, determination, and the spirit of inclusivity:

• Zoha Sanofer – Babywearing mother representing the 3 km category.
• Nandita Muralidhar – Cancer survivor leading the Lifelong 5 km category.
• Gaytheri M. – Visually impaired runner representing the 10 km category.
• Geetha Manichandar – 65-year-old runner representing the 50 km category.
• Deborah Sushma Lall – Working professional leading the 75 km category.
• Latha Ravichander – Representing the 100 km category.

The Chennai event will also feature young mothers running with their babies, cancer survivors, visually impaired runners, and women participating in sarees, reflecting the event's commitment to inclusivity and celebrating women from diverse backgrounds.

"Every Zydus Pinkathon reminds us that there is no single definition of strength. Whether someone is preparing for her first run or taking on an ultra-distance challenge, every woman is writing her own story. We hope Chennai inspires many more women to begin their fitness journey, knowing that every step forward counts," said Ankita Konwar, Founder, Invincible Women.

Strong Partner Ecosystem Supports Chennai Edition

The event is led by Zydus Lifesciences as the Title Partner, with support from Lifelong (Fitness Partner), Sirona (Hygiene Partner), and Hyatt Regency Chennai as the Hospitality Partner.

Additional partners include Fujifilm (Breast Health Partner), MILLD (Flour Partner), 3TENX (Hair Wellness Partner), Bisleri (Hydration Partner), Zivame (Activewear Partner), Tasty Nibbles (Tasty Meals Partner), along with support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Fit India. The event is further supported by Inc.5 (Gifting Partner), Big FM (Radio Partner), with execution by Smiling Tiger Experiences LLP.

Pinkathon's Journey Continues

Founded in 2012, Pinkathon has grown from a single-city run into one of India's largest women's fitness movements. Following successful editions in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Pune, the return to Chennai marks another significant milestone in its 2025-26 calendar, reinforcing the message that fitness has no age, ability, or circumstance, and that every woman deserves the opportunity to take her first step towards better health.

(Inputs from Press Release)