Pen-based Rutuja Sakpal, 21, has won several marathons. However, her gold medal effort at Sunday’s Pink Marathon in the city was special. She overcame a series of obstacles before reaching the start line, proving right the event’s tagline—Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon.

Sakpal, who secured first place (in the 18 to 35 age category) in the 5km run, clocking 19.03 minutes, is yet to tell her parents, mum Shivani and dad Jaywant, that she slept on Marine Drive the night before the race. “I have not yet told my parents that my brother and I spent the night on Marine Drive. I’m afraid. I don’t know how they will react. We had no choice other than sleeping by the side of the street though,” Sakpal told mid-day on Tuesday.