MUMBAI: The inaugural Fast&up Mumbai Walkathon witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 5,000 participants taking to the streets to celebrate fitness, community spirit, and the simple joy of walking.

Flagged off from JVPD Grounds, the event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), municipal commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, IAS officer; Maharashtra Naval Area, flag officer commanding, rear admiral Anil Jaggi; Maharashtra Police, former commissioner, Dhanushkodi Sivanandhan; Fast&up, CFO, Shilpa Khanna; and JustwalkIndia, co-founder, Vinay Bhartia. The scenic route took walkers past film legend Amitabh Bachchan’s residence, along juhu beach, before looping back to the starting point.

The event featured three walk categories,

- Ten kilometre pro walk (6:00 am) attracted 42 per cent of participants.

- Five kilometre family walk (6:20 am) the most popular segment, with 44 per cent of walkers.

- Three kilometre fun walk (6:40 am) 14 per cent of participants enjoyed a leisurely stroll.

A major highlight of the walkathon was the participation of 10 individuals with prosthetic legs, showcasing resilience and determination. Women outnumbered men across all categories, making up 52 per cent of the total participants.

Among the most inspiring walkers was 75-year-old Urmila Bhatia, who urged the younger generation to step away from screens and embrace an active lifestyle. Additionally, eight participants marked their birthdays at the event, making fitness a part of their celebrations.

Wheelchair participant Niranjan Jadhav commended the initiative, saying, “Events like this inspire confidence and encourage people of all abilities to stay active.”

As the walkathon clocked an impressive 44 billion steps, it reinforced fitness as a way of life. JustwalkIndia co-founder Vinay said, “Our goal is to provide a platform for citizens to begin their fitness journey. This turnout has been truly humbling.”

The Fast&up Mumbai Walkathon concluded on an energetic note, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration, camaraderie, and a renewed commitment to fitness setting the stage for even larger editions in the years to come.