Saree Run Makes US Debut In Southern California

India-West News Desk

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA– The first U.S. edition of the Saree Run brought nearly 250 participants to Huntington Beach Central Park East for a 5K fun run and wellness festival centered on health, culture and community.

The event was organized by Aanal Patel, who said the initiative was created to encourage South Asian women to prioritize fitness while remaining connected to their cultural identity.

Patel told LAist that the goal was “fitness without inhibitions,” noting that South Asians face higher rates of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Inspired by videos of the event in India, Patel worked with Saree Run founder Pramod Deshpande to bring the concept to the United States. The movement began in Bengaluru in 2016 with a small group of women and has since expanded to multiple cities across India.

Deshpande, a Bengaluru-based running coach e launched the initiative after noticing that many women interested in fitness were often held back by social expectations and family responsibilities.He said the sari also helped create a more approachable environment for participants by reducing the pressure often associated with fitness culture.

The Huntington Beach event featured yoga sessions, wellness workshops, vendor booths and a “Saree Reimagined” fashion presentation by local South Asian designers.

Organizers said proceeds from registration fees were donated to the Artesia-based nonprofit South Asian Helpline And Referral Agency (SAHARA), which supports abuse survivors.

Interest in expanding the event to other U.S. cities, including Chicago, Austin and Denver, has already emerged following the Southern California debut, organizers said.