On 1^st September 2024, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road organized its 3^rd season of Cyclothon event to celebrate World Heart Day. More than 1200 cyclists participated in the event spreading a message of health and fitness.

Wockhardt is promoting active lifestyle:

Wockhardt Hospital, a leading healthcare provider, recently organized its third annual Cyclothon to commemorate World Heart Day. This event was a fantastic opportunity for cycling enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals to come together and promote heart health.

On this occasion, Dr. Pankaj Dhamija, Centre Head of Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road said, “Today, I am glad to be a part of Wockhardt Cyclothon which is being held in the month of September as part of the legacy of the Wockhardt Hospital Cyclothon. There is a very noble thought behind this cyclothon. As we know that the Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) are on a rise, non-communicable diseases are on a rise – hypertension, diabetes and other CVD’s. The main reason is lack of exercise as well as lifestyle challenges. Our endeavour to organize this cyclothon is to spread awareness in the public that we can all pedal for our health and a better health of our cities and the health of the world. If you look at the data, around 20.5 million people die because of CVD’s every year which is really an alarming number and number one cause of deaths in the world. This cyclothon event is a small effort so that people exercise more and which will encourage them to change their sedentary lifestyle into an active lifestyle. Our endeavour is ‘Life Wins’ and we are making a small and positive impact in our society. Thank you to all the participants for coming up in large numbers.” 

The Cyclothon experience:

The rides were split in two distances – 15 and 30 kms. There were Zumba instructors for a warm-up session before the ride. T-shirts and Bib’s were distributed to the registered participants. The ride was flagged-off by dignitaries from the local municipal corporation and Wockhardt officials. Route marshals and security arrangements were done for the entire route. Fire brigade personals and Ambulance van followed the cyclists to tackle emergency situations. With slight drizzle, there was mist in the air and the overall ride experience was good.

You can watch this video for a virtual tour of the event:

Post ride experience:

There was enough cycle parking space for 1200 cycles to be parked safely. Thanks to the venue partner ‘Asmita Club’. Medals and snacks were distributed to all the finishers. Cartoon characters of ‘Donald Duck’ and ‘Mickey Mouse’ kept the participants entertained. And the Zumba dance continued with pumped-up music. The official Photographers captured the moments across various photo booths. As we savored on the healthy breakfast, prizes were awarded to all the cycling clubs for their support.

Inclusivity and Community building:

The Cyclothon offered participants a chance to enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride while contributing to a noble cause. The event was a huge success, with hundreds of people of all ages participating. The youngest participant was 11 years young and the oldest participant was 70 plus.

A diverse group of cyclists, including families, fitness enthusiasts, youtubers, bloggers, influencers, and healthcare professionals, joined the event. The Cyclothon fostered a sense of community and encouraged people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Message from the Bicycle Mayors:

“Thank you very much to all the cyclists who came in large numbers today. This is the 3rd consecutive season and it was possible only with the initiative by Wockhardt, Mira-Bhayandar cycling association and all the other cycling clubs from the MMR region. The focus of this event is a healthy heart and I hope this event will inspire many people to cycle more and keep themselves fit and active” – Amar Nadgeri, Bicycle Mayor of Mira Bhayander.

“This is a beautiful event and I am glad to be here. I encourage everyone to start cycling and I also encourage motorists to give 4 feet space to cyclists and keep them safe, since they are the ones who are helping to save the environment.” – Dr. Vishwanathan Iyer, Bicycle Mayor of Mumbai

“I am happy to be a part of this wonderful initiative and this will motivate a lot of new cyclists. I urge people not only to do leisure cycling, but also cycle to work whenever possible” – Chirag Shah, Bicycle Mayor of Thane

Conclusion:

The Wockhardt Hospital Cyclothon Season 3 was a resounding success. It not only promoted heart health but also brought together people from all walks of life to celebrate a common goal. By participating in such events, we can contribute to a healthier and happier society.

If you were one of the participants at this Cyclothon, please share your experience in the comments section. 

You might also like to read: RURAL CYCLING TO SCHOOL DOUBLES IN INDIA: NEW STUDY

Support this Blog, BUY Me a Coffee

Follow this blog on youtube, facebook, twitter and instagram

Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai