Col Shivani Sangwan during Pinkathon Ultra in Delhi (Photo: Special Arrangements)
New Delhi: A team of four women officers from Armed Forces Medical Services secured the second position at the inaugural edition of the Pinkathon Ultra, India’s premier women’s endurance running event, held on March 7.
The event, organised by Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, was held to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Pinkathon Ultra featured ultra-distance categories including 50 km, 75 km, 100 km solo and a 100 km relay, aimed at promoting women’s health, fitness and endurance sports.
In an extraordinary demonstration of stamina and teamwork, four serving women officers in their 40s from the Armed Forces Medical Services competed in the 100 km relay ultra, with each officer completing a 25 km stretch in the challenging Delhi heat.
Competing against several reputed running clubs, the team secured second position among 10 teams. The team missed the top spot by just four minutes, an outstanding performance in a 100 km endurance race.
The team comprised Colonel Shivani Sangwan, senior advisor in the Pathology and Cytogenetics Department at Army Hospital (Research & Referral); Colonel Richa Joshi, senior advisor in the Oncosurgery Department at the same hospital; Colonel Smitha Thadathil, Matron-in-Charge and Military Nursing Service officer at Command Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru; and Lieutenant Colonel Priyamvada Chaubey, a Military Nursing Service officer at Military Hospital Prayagraj.
A super-specialist, Col Shivani Sangwan is also an accomplished ultra-runner, who had major achievements in her name, include a podium finish at the Hundred Days of Running (2022), successful completion of the Border Ultra 100 km (2024), and a Top-10 female finish at the Khardung La Challenge 72 km ultra-marathon (2024).
She has recently completed podium finish at the Trail-A-Thon 28 km in Gurugram.
A dedicated oncosurgeon and fitness enthusiast, Col Richa Joshi has also completed podium finishes in multiple half marathons. Col Smitha Thadathil is also an accomplished full marathon runner.
A resilient marathoner and ultra-runner, Lt Col Priyamvada Chaubey has participated in major races including the New Delhi Marathon, Ladakh Marathon, and the 55 km Lake-to-Lake Ultra.
