Udaipur: Women Business Circle (WBC) marked its continued commitment to promoting women’s health, fitness and an active lifestyle through its participation as a community partner for the second consecutive year at the third Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon 2026, organised by Hindustan Zinc.

Ahead of the marathon, WBC conducted a dedicated seven-day pre-run fitness and awareness programme aimed at encouraging women to embrace running and make physical activity a regular part of their lifestyle.

The preparatory sessions introduced participants to essential aspects of safe and effective running, including warm-up routines, stretching, running techniques and injury-prevention practices. WBC also leveraged social media to spread awareness, encourage registrations and motivate more women to participate in the marathon.

The initiative translated into enthusiastic participation on race day, with WBC members taking part in the 5-km run. Taking the spirit of women’s participation a step further, WBC member Preksha Porwal successfully completed the 21-km half marathon, setting an inspiring example of commitment, endurance and fitness.

The initiative was carried out under the guidance of WBC Founder Acharya Anima Goswami, Secretary Meenakshi Paliwal and Treasurer Kapila Bhardwaj. Programme Coordinator Mansi Tak played an important role in driving social media outreach, coordinating pre-run activities and encouraging greater participation among women.

The third edition of the marathon witnessed an impressive turnout of more than 9,700 runners, representing a nearly 45% increase in participation compared with the previous edition. Runners from 27 states and six countries participated in the event.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Fateh Sagar Lake and the Aravalli hills, the marathon went beyond fitness and running, emerging as a platform for community engagement and social awareness.

Through its initiative, WBC reinforced the message that women’s health deserves priority and running and sports can become an integral part of everyday life. The campaign also encouraged women to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace fitness and inspire others through their own participation.