Mumbai: On the occasion of World Health Day, PNB MetLife India, one of India’s leading life insurance companies, announced the fifth edition of Guinness Record-Holding PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon. The registrations for the popular event, which will take place on the 18th of September, 2016, opened today.

• Registration starts on 7th April 2016 and closes on 30th June 2016
• Last edition drew over 2600 Half marathon participants, a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
• Expecting close to 5,000 registrations this year
• mobiefit co-founder Gul Panag and mobiefit RUN icon Milind Soman support the initiative
• mobiefit comes on board as the mFitness Partner
• Registrations and further details on https://www.healthforhappiness.in/run-for-happiness/satara-hill-half-marathon/

Witnessing record participation by 2600 running enthusiasts in the previous edition, the PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon expects to achieve new benchmarks this year. To this end PNB MetLife announced a strategic partnership with mobiefit Technologies, an mFitness company with over 3 lakh runners under its mobiefit RUN app. Together, PNB MetLife and mobiefit RUN will reach out to fitness and running enthusiasts around the country to popularize the PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon and provide invaluable tips to all runners and participants.

The launch ceremony was endorsed by Ironman Triathlete and mobiefit RUN Icon Mr Milind Soman, and avid runner and mobiefit co-founder Ms Gul Panag in presence of PNB MetLife MD & CEO Tarun Chugh; Mr Norrie Williamson, International Ambassador, Mentor & Coach, and Dr Sandeep Kate - Race Director.

Speaking on the launch, Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO, PNB MetLife, said, “At PNB MetLife, we believe that  both physical and fiscal fitness are equally important, thereby promoting health and happiness under ‘#PlayForHappiness’ with our Badminton associations. Extending the platform to ‘#RunForHappiness’, we have been promoting Walkathons and Marathons as well. Today, I am delighted to announce the second year of our association with PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon.”

He added, “As per data available, marathons are becoming popular in India with a growth of over 150% (since 2009)*. Hence, this year, we are bringing more value to the iconic event with our partnership with mobiefit. Through this partnership, we hope to increase engagement with the runners this year and also encourage first time runners to participate.”

Speaking about his association with PNB Metlife Satara Hill Half Marathon, Ironman Triathlete and mobiefit RUN Icon Milind Soman said, “I have been participating in marathons since the first Mumbai Marathon in 2004. Running changed my life and made a positive impact on my health and fitness. That’s why I urge people to take up running and become more conscious about getting fitter. I look forward to participating in the PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon as this will be a different experience and a new challenge for me. I would encourage all to follow it and participate as well. See you on September 18th in Satara.”

Co-founder of mobiefit, Gul Panag, is one of the regulars in the Indian half marathon circuit. She’s also looking forward to the PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon. “I want to do my bit in encouraging more people to get started on their fitness journey. Being fit increases your mental and physical capacity. I think it is very important to have some sort of a physical exercise in your life and for me running is the most natural way to start exercising. And once you start it’s impossible to stop. So get started now, and make it to Satara to run with me!”

Norrie Williamson - International Ambassador, Mentor & Coach said, “Running events like the PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon have been instrumental in increasing fitness awareness in the general population in India. I see a very positive growth in this event year on year, and it has also helped galvanise the local economy of the region. We are also in talks with the Big Hills Half marathon in South Africa, for an International Exchange program between the winning athletes from our respective events.

Dr Sandeep Kate - Race Director, PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon, “We are proud of our association with PNB MetLife, a leader in its field. We have always believed in the motto – The participating runner is the most important person and the focus of all our activities. We will go to any lengths to ensure that it remains so, because we owe our success and popularity to the positive feedback, love and support of our runners.”

The 21 KM half-marathon is organized by Marathon Association Satara, a Non-Profit Organisation in association with PNB MetLife. It is held in the scenic ghats of Sahyadri Mountains in Satara region of Maharashtra, providing the runners a challenging but an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Details of the Marathon:
PNB MetLife Satara Hill Half Marathon is recognised by the IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation). It is one of the few Marathon events in the country to have the distinction of being a member of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance races).

Categories are

• Half Marathon of 21.1 Km
• Dhamaal Run of 3.5 Km.

For more information & registration one can visit https://www.healthforhappiness.in/run-for-happiness/satara-hill-half-marathon/

About PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is a joint venture between MetLife International Holdings Inc. (MIHI), Punjab National Bank Limited (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited and other private investors, with MIHI and PNB being the majority shareholders. PNB MetLife was previously known as MetLife India Insurance Company Limited and has been present in India since 2001.

*Publicly available reports from RunRepeat.com

For more information, visit www.pnbmetlife.com

About mobiefit
mobiefit Technologies is an mFitness company making mobile-based training programs easily accessible to all, regardless of age, gender or fitness level. Its running training app mobiefit RUN is available on Android and iOS. With dedicated 5K, 10K and 21K training programs for beginners and advanced runners, as well as a FreeRun mode, mobiefit RUN is the most complete running companion app in the market, helping over 3 lakh runners get started on their fitness journey.

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