Bengaluru: After witnessing immense participation from Bengalureans last year, Max Bupa returned to the city with the 6th edition of Max Bupa Walk For Health today. With the aim to motivate citizens of Bangalore to lead healthier, more successful lives, Max Bupa hosted the much awaited 5 kms & 2 kms walkathon at Sree Kanteerava Stadium which was flagged off by Kannada Megastar Shiva Rajkumar and Dhananjay along with Max Bupa’s MD & CEO, Ashish Mehrotra.
This year, Max Bupa Walk for Health witnessed overwhelming participation from the city with an ecstatic crowd from various walks of life who came together on a Sunday morning and pledged to walk for good health. 7500 Bangalureans participated in the event. Bengaluru’s famous walking communities, health enthusiasts, school children, senior citizen and others turned up in huge numbers and walked together in the 5km and 2km walk categories and made the event a huge success. The stadium was filled with fanfare as participants excitedly engaged in Zumba and other fitness workout sessions, and then walked for good health in the presence of their favourite stars.
Leading by example, Shiva Rajkumar aka Shivanna, whose name is associated with multiple social and health causes said, “People nowadays are busier than ever. But more importantly we have misplaced priorities. With work schedules and social networking taking the center stage, one’s health is often ignored. I’ve always maintained that if nothing else, people should walk for an hour every day and even find excuses to walk more to improve their health, breaking away from their sedentary lifestyle. I would urge everyone to put their health before anything else and the Max Bupa ‘Walk for Health’ is the perfect platform for everyone to get started with their health goals. What we must realize is that it is never too late to start, and walking go take a long way on the path to fitness and good health.”
Max Bupa Walk for Health is a first of its kind initiative in the country which has been educating Indians about the benefits of walking to bring about a positive and long-term sustainable behavioral change in their health and overall wellbeing. This year, the event also endeavored to educate people to walk for the health of their city and the environment while walking for their own health.
Ashish Mehrotra, MD and CEO, Max Bupa said, “After witnessing immense enthusiasm from Bengaloreans last year, we had to come back to Bangalore this year. We hope Max Bupa Walk for Health inspires not just Bangalore but the entire nation to take a conscious step towards a healthier lifestyle. It is great to see so many participants coming together – alone, with family and friends – to demonstrate their commitment towards a healthier self. Being a committed health insurer, we believe that if we can get people to change their lifestyles and start walking for their health, we’d be able to inspire India towards being a healthier nation.”
Actor Dhananjay said, “Staying fit doesn’t require hours and hours in the gym or following a starvation diet to stay fit. Fitness is all about eating right with right amount of workout. I personally believe, walking is one of the most convenient forms of exercise, though its result may not be visible right away but is a complete workout in itself. Walking has become a permanent part of my workout regime along with some additional fitness activities to keep myself going. I am proud to be a part of one such initiative which gives me an opportunity to motivate thousands of participants who turned up for the Max Bupa Walk for Health.”
Over the last 5 years, the initiative has garnered support from a number of celebrities, health and fitness enthusiasts, social activists, politicians and sports personalities such as Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali Khan, Sania Mirza, Shilpa Shetty, Sonam Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Anurag Kashyap, Kunal Kapoor and Smriti Irani among others. Last year, Radhika Pandit and Anju Bobby George flagged off the walk in Bangalore.
Aside from the 5 kilometer and 2 kilometer walk for families, there was plenty of action at the Max Bupa Walk for Health event to amplify the fun quotient – fitness session, RJ on stage, music, food, free health checks and live performances. Kids got to meet their favourite cartoon characters Shiva and Ninja. Walkers also participated in exciting on spot contests at the venue and won prizes.
