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| Edited By: |Source: DNA |Updated: Jan 22, 2014, 03:35 PM IST
Fitness guru and diet expert Mickey Mehta will be guiding participants to warm-up and get ready for action.
Through the half marathon, DNA will highlight issues that plague urban women today.
These issues include spreading awareness about cervical cancer, safety of women in public places and education for the girl child.
DNA has been taking up relevant causes for the city & it's readers at various points of time. The marathon highlighting women's issues is only an extension of DNA's effort in bringing about a change in its own way.
DNA has collaborated with NGOs — Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), The Akanksha Foundation, Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), We, The People, Anhad — to garner support for the causes that it supports.
Mickey Mehta is here putting the runners through their warm up routines.
We are minutes away from flag-off now.
Now that the warm-up session is done, the first race is about to begin.
DNA spoke to a few participants and here's what they had to say:
"I have run before but this a wone's special race. The main motivation for me to participate was the causes DNA is supporting" — 23 yr old Sujata from Ghatkopar. She is a fine arts student at the JJ school of Arts.
They are off, the pros, who will compete in the 21 km half-marathon.
Puneet Goenka, MD & CEO, Zee Entertainment, and Neeraj Goel, marketing manager, Stayfree, flagged off the main run.
"I used be ill for a very long time. My children have encouraged me to participate. They are my motivation. They think I can and for them I am here" — 50 yr old Preeya Shah, a housewife.
Your favourite celebrities are filing in for the five km celebrity run.
Before the celebs will be the 10 km run which will be flagged off in a few minutes from now.
In the meanwhile, we bring you moving stories and interesting pictures about the women who are creating history right now, right here.
“It’s great to be here, to see Indian women run for a cause. I have done a marathon in the US and it’s my first time here. I’m very excited” – 24 yr old US national Eleanor, a education consultant.
Badminton player Aparna Popat
“It’s fantastic initiative. It’s a great atmosphere. Look at the participants. It is a very good way to project women. I CAN that’s the message the message that you can give through this event. I banged my leg two days ago otherwise, I would have been part of this event. If this is held next year, undoubtedly I will run in it. I feel more such events should be held as it gives women a platform to say I CAN”
Badminton player Aparna Popat (C) with DNA Staff
Fitness guru Mickey Mehta with participants
Three regular runners of the Mumbai marathon say that this initiative is great because it’s an all-women’s event and it’s about time Mumbai did something for its women. Some suggested that the marathon should begin by 5.30 am, as 6.30 can get too hot. Also, suggested that the marathon be a month earlier. Participants also praised the selection of location, as they feel that BKC is less chaotic than South Mumbai.
Mickey Mehta again!
Badminton player Aparna Popat flags off the 10 km run
Badminton player Aparna Popat flags off the 10 km run
The 10 km run was flagged off by badminton star Aparna Popat. "I banged my leg two days ago. Otherwise I would have been part of the marathon. Next year, I will run."
Those still sleeping, wake up! Look at the women of Mumbai take over the streets, conquering them!
The 5km celeb run will be flagged of shortly.
Actress and badminton star Deepika Padukone will be at BKC anytime soon to flag off the celeb run. Stay tuned for more updates and pictures from the field.
Women go for it!
Women go for it!
The select bunch that's running the 21 km half marathon should be crossing the halfway mark. Below's a pic of the lead pack
They may be tired but they're giving up. Not yet!
250 Brahmakumaris are participating in the marathon
250 Brahmakumaris are participating in the marathon. Catch a Positive Thinking column by them every Saturday in DNA.
The winner of the 21 km run has arrived!
It's jersey number 11. Stay tuned for the name of historic winner of the first ever women's marathon in India.
Singer and actress Raageshwari Loomba ready to go!
British Asian actress and model Sofia Hayat at BKC
Actress Deepika Padukone has arrived!
jersey number 11 Monika Athare has become historic woman to win the first ever women's half marathon!
Second and third placed are Lalita Babbar and Supriya Patil resp. Stay tuned for pics.
First pictures: 21 km winner, Monika Athare (number 11)
21 km winner, Monika Athare (number 11) clocked 1 hr 13 mins and 8 seconds (provisional time).
“I am surprised I finished first. I had planned my run and was expecting to finish second or third. The weather was helpful and the route was straight and decent. I gathered good pace in the first lap”
Lalita Babbar (number 1) finished 2nd
"I was hoping to finish first but got a sprain in my stomach. Midway through the 2nd lap I realised I couldn't push myself so I slowed down"
Winner Monika Athare (number 11), 2nd placed Lalita Babbar (number 1) and third placed Supriya Patilc (number 371)
The 5km fun run has been flagged off by Deepika Padukone.
Before the fun run was flagged off, Art in Motion conducted a flash mob dance.
Monika Athare (number 11) finished first in the 21 km half marathon
Deepika Padukone flags off the 5km fun run
Payal Rohatgi at DNA I Can women's half marathon
Tulip Joshi
Many celebs ahve come out to support the causes relating to women. Spotted were Mimoh Chakraborty, Nisha Jamwal, Tara Sharma, Tulip Joshi, Raageshwari Loomba and many more
Read: Age, gender of no conseqeunce
10 km spirit run winner Reshma Dalvi
Second runner up: US citizen Eleanor Foot
First runner up: Nikita Ingle
Arts in Motion flash dance
The gritty women of Mumbai made it a point to come out in large numbers to run and support causes that they truly beleive in.
Kudos to all who ran or even cheered from the sidelines!
Shazahn Padamsee
Tara Sharma stunned the field by winning the 5km fun run
Look what Deepika Padukone was captured reading at the DNA I Can half marathon
Singer Rabbi Shergill is now serenading the participants with melodious tunes and a special song he's composed for women
Breaking barriers, emerging victorious
That historic moment!
Bandra Kurla Complex has turned into one big party with women letting their hair down after running.
It was nice having you all with us this morning. The DNA I Can women's half marathon has been a raging success. Pick up tomorrow's DNA for more pictures and stories of the women who came to make a difference.
Log into dnaindia.com for constant updates and pictures.
Deepika Padukone felicitates Monika Athare, winner of the 21 km half marathon
Welcome to India's first ever half marathon exclusively for women. The half is brought to you by DNA in association with stayfree.
At Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex the atmosphere is as charged as it can be.