Bengaluru, Mar 09: On the morning of International Women’s Day, the streets of Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru came alive with energy and purpose as nearly 1,500 women and children gathered for the 4th edition of Woman-athon 2026 — a powerful community movement celebrating strength, self-care, and solidarity. Led by Dr. Lakshmi Roopesh, Managing Director of Dental Den, ultra-marathoner and Race Director of Woman-athon, and organized by the Naari Power team in collaboration with the Kammanahalli Run Club, the event transformed a community walk into a vibrant statement: when women prioritize their well-being, they uplift families, communities and society at large.
What began four years ago as a small fitness initiative has steadily evolved into a growing community movement encouraging women to prioritize their physical and mental well-being, recognizing that when women take care of themselves, they strengthen families and uplift communities.
Dr. Lakshmi Roopesh, Managing Director of Dental Den, ultra-marathoner, and Race Director of Woman-athon, is the driving force behind the growing movement that encourages women to prioritize their health and well-being.
“Woman-athon was created with a simple but powerful belief — when a woman prioritizes herself, she becomes stronger for everyone around her. This movement reminds women that self-care is not selfish; it is essential,” said Dr. Lakshmi Roopesh.
A Movement Powered by Women and Community
The success of Woman-athon 2026 is a testament to the power of women working together with purpose. The event was conceptualized, planned and executed by the Naari Power team, a dynamic collective of women who dedicated weeks of effort to bring the vision to life.
Key members of the organizing team included Reena, Rupalee, Priya, Rashmi, Lavanya, Hasitha, Sowmya, Merlyn and Ranjitha, each playing a crucial role in planning, coordination, partnerships, participant engagement and on-ground execution.
Supporting the organizing team were over 60 committed volunteers, who came together selflessly for the event. From early morning preparations to post-event coordination, the volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless experience for every participant.
The event was also strongly supported by the Kammanahalli Run Club, whose members collaborated closely with the organizing team to facilitate smooth coordination of the community walk and participant engagement.
Equally important was the support from the Bengaluru Police — both Law & Order and Traffic divisions — along with dedicated traffic wardens, who managed the traffic arrangements with remarkable efficiency. Their coordinated efforts ensured that the event proceeded safely and comfortably for participants while maintaining smooth traffic flow in the surrounding areas.
Empower, Educate, Elevate: Pre-Event Community Workshops
In the weeks leading up to Woman-athon, the organizing team conducted a series of community initiatives under the “Empower, Educate, Elevate” series, designed to equip women with practical knowledge related to health, safety and well-being.
These included:
• A Self-Defence Workshop at Bande Park, empowering women with confidence and personal safety awareness
• “Decode Your Health”, an interactive health awareness session conducted with Silverline Diagnostics
• A Free Eye Check-up and Eye Health Talk in collaboration with Zamindar Children’s Eye Hospital, focusing on preventive eye care and vision health
These initiatives reinforced Woman-athon’s commitment to empowering women through awareness and education beyond the event itself.
Celebrating Inspiring Women
Woman-athon 2026 was honoured by the presence of four exceptional women whose journeys inspire resilience, courage and determination.
Sophia Pinto, a Masters athlete who began sprinting at the age of 35, went on to represent India and win Gold in the 200m and Silver in the 100m at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship.
Vasumathi Srinivasan, an accomplished mountaineer, recently completed the “Fit at 50+” trans-Himalayan expedition, covering 4,900 kilometres across the Himalayan region.
Meera, an endurance cyclist who took up cycling after retirement, has since covered over 79,000 kilometres across India and beyond, redefining what is possible at every stage of life.
Dr. Chinmayee, a trained mountaineer and long-distance runner, is currently preparing for an Everest expedition, inspiring women to embrace fitness and adventure regardless of age.
Their stories deeply resonated with participants, reminding everyone present that strength, courage and ambition know no age limit.
Strong Support from Sponsors and Partners
The success of Woman-athon 2026 was further strengthened by the enthusiastic participation of sponsors and partners who created valuable health and wellness experiences for participants.
Silverline Diagnostics, the main sponsor, played a significant role by providing a delicious and nutritious breakfast for all participants, while also conducting free fasting blood sugar tests and BMI assessments at the venue. Their team of specialists also hosted an open house interaction with radiologists, offering participants valuable health insights and guidance.
Zamindar Children’s Eye Hospital, in collaboration with Rotary, spread awareness about Glaucoma, conducting screening for glaucoma and educating participants about early detection. The initiative was led by Dr. Samina Zamindar, who engaged with participants and emphasized the importance of preventive eye care.
Adding an element of excitement and engagement, Neelkanth – Golds and Diamonds set up an innovative selfie booth that quickly became a participant favourite, while also introducing an attractive gold savings scheme tailored for women.
Participants also benefited from free gynaecology consultations offered by Dr. Priya Patil from Altius Hospital, creating an accessible platform for women to discuss important health concerns.
Adding to the interactive spirit of the event, Decathlon organized fitness and activity challenges, encouraging participants to engage in fun physical activities and celebrate movement and fitness.
Together, these partners contributed to creating a holistic wellness experience that went far beyond the walk itself.
A Morning of Energy, Unity and Purpose
On March 8th, the streets of Kalyan Nagar came alive as participants gathered for the Woman-athon community walk, united by the spirit of empowerment and collective strength.
Participants arrived with enthusiasm, carrying placards with powerful messages of self-care and self-priority. The atmosphere was vibrant — filled with laughter, encouragement and a powerful sense of solidarity among women from different walks of life.
The event created a powerful visual of hundreds of women walking together with purpose, symbolizing a growing movement where women choose to prioritize their health, identity and well-being.
More Than an Event — A Movement
Woman-athon is more than a community walk; it is a movement dedicated to reminding women that their well-being matters.
Through fitness initiatives, awareness programs and community engagement, the Naari Power team continues to build a culture where women support and uplift one another while embracing healthier lifestyles.
The success of the 4th Edition of Woman-athon stands as a powerful reminder that when women come together with purpose, they create meaningful and lasting impact within their communities.
As the movement continues to grow, the team looks forward to inspiring many more women to step forward, prioritize themselves and lead healthier, stronger lives.
Let’s continue to rise. Let’s Give to Gain.
