Pinkathon is Showing How Inclusion isn't Just Optional, it's Essential for Women's Fitness Movement

When Dipti Gandhi won her first Pinkathon race in 2018, she wasn't just crossing a finish line, she was validating a movement. The 100% visually challenged runner had been personally motivated by Milind Soman, organizer of the marathon, and provided with a trained guide runner, proper coaching and two to three months of preparation. Her victory demonstrated what Pinkathon's organisers had believed from the start, inclusion isn't a charitable add-on but the foundation of meaningful fitness movements.

"At Pinkathon, inclusion is not an add-on—it is at the heart of why this movement exists," explains Milind Soman, famous model, actor, fitness idol and the event's organiser. Since inception, over 1,000 visually impaired women have participated across various cities, with numbers steadily growing through partnerships with NGOs. The infrastructure supporting them, from tactile route indicators to dedicated registration teams, benefits all participants, creating safer, more accessible events for everyone.

The Ecosystem That Makes It Possible

Inclusion requires more than good intentions, it demands systematic support. At Pinkathon, visually impaired participants experience the same dignity as sighted runners from registration through to race completion. A dedicated support team assists with sign-ups, clarifies processes and connects each runner with trained guides. On race day, volunteers are stationed at shorter intervals, hydration zones are strategically positioned and every visually impaired participant runs alongside their guide—now termed 'allies'—who've received structured training in pacing, communication and safety techniques.

"We conduct special orientation runs where women can familiarise themselves with running in a group, understand basic commands used with guides, and build confidence," Soman notes. These preparation sessions, conducted well before race day, have trained over 300 visually impaired women in the past two to three years alone, with close to 500 completing races during that period. Many have become seasoned runners and movement ambassadors, including Divya, who covered the distance from Pondicherry to Chennai over three days during the Spirit of Pinkathon Run.

The Ripple Effect of Representation

The impact extends beyond participation numbers. Dipti articulates this broader significance: "Mujhe aisa lagata hai ki hamaari awaaz se, matlab baaki mahilayen, jo normal hai, sighted hai, unko inspire hona chahiye." (I feel that through our voice, other women who are normal, who are sighted, should be inspired, they should be inspired.) When sighted women witness visually impaired runners completing 10K distances, it challenges their own excuses and reshapes perceptions about capability and commitment.

For her, accepting a challenge means giving nothing less than her best. She put it simply when asked why she keeps at it, “Agar main koi challenge accept karti hoon, toh main usmein apna hundred percent deti hoon — dil se.” (If I accept a challenge, I give my hundred per cent — from the heart.) Dipti also spoke about the special logistical systems designed for visually challenged runners at Pinkathon. She explained that they gather in a dedicated tent, receive guide runners, and start with a set protocol — a reminder that inclusion is not symbolic but structural.

This reciprocal inspiration strengthens the entire fitness ecosystem. Pinkathon tracks registrations and participation data for persons with disabilities across 3km, 5km and 10km distances, including finish rates and guide requirements. Whilst some data has been shared at forums and panel discussions, the organisation is formalising year-on-year inclusion indicators for public publication as it expands across 52 cities.

Scaling Inclusion Beyond Metro Cities

Challenges remain, particularly regarding trained guide availability. "In larger metros, we have a strong, established network, but in smaller towns we often have to build this ecosystem from the ground up," Soman acknowledges. "Consistency is another challenge, allies volunteer their time throughout the year, often compromising on their own training routines to support visually impaired runners."

As Pinkathon expands into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, the focus intensifies on strengthening support systems through partnerships with local running groups, NGOs and disability organisations. The philosophy driving this expansion is compelling: "When a city becomes safe and inclusive for visually impaired women to run, it becomes safer for every woman."

This principle transforms disability inclusion from accommodation into advantage proving that building for the most marginalised participants creates better experiences for everyone. 

As she prepares to be the Pinkathon 2025 mascot, Dipti carries not just her own ambition but the pride of her community. The title symbolises recognition, but for her, it is also a platform to amplify the power of inclusive fitness. In the final moments of our conversation, she expressed warmth and gratitude in her own quiet way. “Main hamesha taiyaar rehti hoon, aur main zaroor daudungi,” (I always stay ready, and I will definitely run.)