The CR Women Ambassador’s program was initiated in 2021 to encourage women to take up running as a means to achieve physical and mental fitness. This training for half, twenty miler and full marathon curated and executed by experienced runners was received with extraordinary enthusiasm by all women participants. Inspired by the success and driven by the objective of building a fit and thereby happy society, the program has been extended and intends to continue to empower women through running and fitness.
PRIYA SIVARAJAN
CR MOGAPPAIR FITNESS CIRCLE
Priya Sivarajan, a 45+ woman embarked on her fitness journey joining the Mogappair Fitness Circle (MFC) in 2017. Since then, she has passionately embraced various running challenges, conquering distances from 10k, HMs, 20 Milers regularly. She achieved a significant milestone completing a Virtual FM during Covid at the 2020 NYC Virtual Marathon, well supported by MFC training partners. She was part of the Chennai Runners mentorship program and ran her full at Chennai Marathon 2022.
Beyond running, her active lifestyle extends to regular walking, cycling, and a bit of trekking, contributing to both her mental and physical well-being. Firm believer in “Practice makes a (wo)man perfect”.
The joy of meticulously planning and successfully completing races, executing training plans, or conquering summits is her motivation. She intends to inspire fellow female runners to stay committed to their fitness goals, as she firmly believes that consistency is the key to excellence.
POOJA
CR T.NAGAR TRENDSETTERS
Born and raised in Mumbai and with a passion for hospitality she became a hotelier after graduating from the Rizvi College of Hotel Management, Mumbai.
She has worked with multiple hotel chains in India and abroad. After getting married she moved to Chennai and started working at Scope International.
It’s been 5 yrs. since she has been running and it’s become an integral part of her life. It has motivated her, given her peace of mind and made her fitter, stronger and confident than ever.
PADMINI
CR AMBATTUR ARIMASS
Padmini from Ambattur Arimass is a regular walker with shuttle as hobby. Her running life started with CR Ambattur Arimass in 2019. She did her Half Marathon in SPCM 2022 and FCM 2023. She was the first lady from Ambattur Arimass to do 20 miler in FCM 2024 under CR Mentorship Programme. Secured Gold in 5000m and Silver in 1500m -TN Masters Athletics District Level 2023. She strongly believes in ” Your Body listens, What Your Mind Says” which drove her from “Slow Walker to 20 Miler”.
NALINI
CR MARINA MINNALS
I am Nalini. I joined Marina Minnals a chapter of Chennai Runners in 2014.
I have never been a runner or for that matter into walking as an exercise until then. Only in 2014 at the age of 44, I started my fitness journey.
Due to Health issues and injury, I took a break from running and concentrated more on cycling till January 2023. At present, I am into strength and weight training. I am keen on learning new sports. Joined calisthenics in June 2023. I am pursuing a course on strength and conditioning this year.
UMA
CR PILLAR PACERS
A doctor (anaesthesiologist) by profession and a mother of two she got into running in 2016 as a stress buster and to start on a healthy lifestyle. Running helped her in many ways, to shed almost 20kgs and to get her ailments under control.
Since then, she has done many 10k and 21k and two 20miler and a full marathon.
She has paced in 10 and 21k categories in various events in Chennai. She would really love for other women to feel the same joy of running and conquering their mind and body and unleash their inner potential and she always believes that running and training as a group is the best way.
VIDYA
CR TAMBARAM THUNDER BOLTS
Vidya is a part of the Tambaram Thunderbolts Chapter of Chennai Runners. She has been running for many years and has also coached the 2023- Couch to 5k batch of TTB. She loves endurance running because it gives her a chance to unwind. Getting a woman to run is challenging due to various reasons but a fit woman can result in a fit and healthy family and a healthier Chennai overall is her firm belief.
SUJA
CR PETTAI RAPPERS
Suja Siva got smitten by the running bug since 2013 after casually running her first 10 km in Auroville with some friends. Since then, she has been running many 10 kms and few half marathons so far. The runners high euphoria keeps her going and she loves to motivate people to exercise and enjoy fitness activities.
MEERA
CR BESSIE FLYERS
I am Meera from Bessie Flyers. A homemaker, mother of two wonderful teens and a runner by passion.
My running journey with Bessie Flyers started in 2018 and I have completed a lot of 10km and ran my first HM under the CR Mentorship program.
These 5 years have not only been enjoyable but has also been a learning experience. It has not only helped me stay disciplined but also made me a strong person mentally as well. I was lead volunteer for the couch to 5k program. Apart from running I go to gym for workouts. Running is my private time, my therapy which I never miss and obsessed with.
NANDINI
CR NUNGAMBAKKAM NITROS
A working professional and a regular runner with the Nungambakkam Nitros,
Nandini was running solo since 2015 in the local streets of Nungambakkam wearing a salwar before joining the Nitros from 2018.
She has been holding the post of Chennai Runners Chapter Coordinator for Nungambakkam Nitros since 2022.
A beneficiary of the Chennai Runners Women’s Mentorship Program resulted in her running her longest distance of a 20 miler in 2022 Chennai Marathon.
While running a full marathon remains a goal to be achieved, Nandini believes she represents ‘the common runner’ running to maintain some level of fitness and that anyone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle should consider running due to its low entry barrier.
MEENA ARAVIND
CR COASTAL RUNNERS
Meena Aravind, born in Kerala and brought up in Chennai works with Ford India company as Project Manager.
She is a gym freak and can’t stay even for a day in the house without doing any exercise. She ran her first 10k in FCM 2023 and her first half marathon in FCM 2024. She trained the couch 5K team and was happy to see amazing runners in the group.
KHUSHBU
CR KILPAUK STRIDERS
In 2021, as an entrepreneur, I joined Kilpauk Striders (CRKS) with the intention of achieving ideal weight through running. Little did I know that it would become a therapeutic journey for me.
Rain or shine, I find joy in my morning trots. From wondering if I can even run a mile to completing numerous 10Ks, HMs, and track runs, it has been a wonderful journey.
Right now, I am excited and looking forward to complete a full marathon soon. My journey and success would not have been possible without the CR training programs and support of my co-runners.
I sincerely feel that now it’s my turn to give back by becoming a part of this incredible initiative to encourage women in running, especially knowing that in our country health and well-being of a woman always gets lowest priority.
“Wishing you all a runderful life!”
LOGESWARI
CR PORUR RACERS
Dr. Logeswari joined the Chennai Runners Porur Racers running chapter in order to lose weight.
As she began to love the process and soon found herself at the starting line for the various events taking place throughout the city. She has now done over fifty 10ks, 25 HMs, and her first FM earlier last year.
She began as a newcomer and has now grown into a chapter coordinator via her dedication on self-training while taking care of her running chapter as well.
Being a clinician and an academician in the field of dentistry also specialising in oral cancer, she exemplifies how a person may begin physically activity at any age and grow with passion.
She not only restricts this to herself but spreads positivity wherever she goes.
She was the mentor for debutant Half marathon racers for FCM 2024.
CHHAVI MALIK
CR TOWER TWISTERS
I am Chhavi Malik. I am from Tower Twisters, Anna Nagar.
I ran my first 10K in year 2014. Though I started running late, I have always been a fitness enthusiast. I have been regular to gym and have also played badminton for years. After 2014, I did lots of 10 Ks, HMs and a FM in 2019 ie Auroville Marathan-2019.
I am a certified fitness trainer too.
I believe in the quote by Mohammad Ali.
“The will must be stronger than the skill”
BOOLAKSHMI
CR VIBRANT VELACHERRY
This is Boolakshmi from Vibrant Velachery.
*Embrace your power, lift others up, and let your light shine, for when women come together, there is no limit to what we can achieve* – this is the quote that I believe in and that peps my morale in the face of adversities.
A doting mom of two teens, a homemaker by occupation, an ardent runner by passion hailing from team Vibrant Velachery, I am a people person. I embarked on my running journey in 2015 and ever since, there’s been no looking back! Within a year of joining VV, I completed 25km Ultra distance & sprint distance triathlon twice. In my initial years, I used to dabble in cycling for cross training but gradually shifted my focus to running. I take pride in stating that I have countless 10k and HMs to my credit, including 4 FMs. Endurance used to be my focal point initially, but now I have graduated to speed running.
I am always game to discovering new insights, learning from others’ perspectives and sharing my experience with my co-runners. I look forward to the new assignment of Mentoring HM mentees, that I have been entrusted with and hope to do my bit in encouraging women to join the running contingent!
ANITHA
CR CHROMPET CHEETAHS
Just keep moving forward and never, ever give up. Everyday workout is her medicine.
ANU
CR OMR TRAILBLAZERS
I joined our running group-CR OMR Trail Blazers, in 2014.
I began my running journey as a solo runner, covering a distance of 5km.I then found mentors in my fellow runners like Sara, Roy, Sami and many more who supported me and took me gradually from 5 km to 10km to HM to FM and then to Ultra and not to forget my Triathlon.
The journey was amazing and no looking back from them on.
As I felt good, I wanted to spread the awareness on running amongst women and feel it’s my turn to give back by inspiring more women.
I was the mentor women debutant Half Marathon distance runners for their race in FCM 2024.