CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: The state-level Red Run Mini Marathon 2026 saw enthusiastic participation by youth, carrying the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and de-addiction. The state-level “Red Run 2026 Mini Marathon” (10 km) was organized at Gyan-Vigyan Bhavan, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, as a joint initiative of the Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Committee, Bhopal, the National Service Scheme, Madhya Pradesh, and Red Ribbon Clubs. The organizational arrangements were made by the Barkatullah University National Service Scheme Cell, Bhopal, while The Bhopal School of Social Sciences, Bhopal, handled co-organizational arrangements, with support from the Open Unit, Barkatullah University, Bhopal.
Deen Dayal Bedia, Vice-Chancellor, Barkatullah University, Bhopal; Nalini Gaur, Additional Project Director, Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Committee; Ashok Kumar Shroti, Regional Director, Regional Directorate (M.P.-C.G.); Dr. Manoj Kumar Agnihotri, State NSS Officer; Savita Thakur, Joint Director (IEC), Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Committee; Anant Kumar Saxena, Programme Coordinator, NSS Cell, Barkatullah University; Rajkumar Verma, Youth Officer, Government of India; and Rahul Singh Parihar, ETI trainer and Open Unit Programme Officer, Barkatullah University, were present. The programme began with an introduction by Rahul Singh Parihar, after which the guests flagged off the contingent.
The marathon started from Gyan-Vigyan Bhavan and moved along the footpath past Narayan Nagar, then through the Empri Overbridge and Ganesh Mandir Overbridge, taking a U-turn at the overbridge located directly in front of DB Mall before returning on the same route to conclude at Gyan-Vigyan Bhavan. University-winning students from various universities across the state participated in the 10-kilometre run. A walkathon was also organized alongside the marathon, in which other NSS volunteers participated with enthusiasm. Through the walkathon as well, the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and de-addiction was taken to the public.
Street plays and flash mobs were presented with HIV/AIDS and de-addiction awareness as the central themes. Through these performances, a message was given to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS among youth and to build a drug-free society. Poster making, slogan writing and face painting competitions were also organized, in which young participants shared awareness messages through creative expression. This joint initiative of the National Service Scheme and Red Ribbon Clubs was described as a commendable effort to connect youth with social responsibility. The objective of the state-level event was to increase public awareness about HIV/AIDS among youth and inspire them to help build a healthy, drug-free society. The active participation of youth in the event was encouraging in this direction. Young people can contribute to bringing positive change in society by remaining aware of their health.
At the conclusion of the Madhya Pradesh marathon, a prize distribution ceremony was held. In both boys’ and girls’ categories, the first-place winners were honoured with ₹10,000, the second-place winners with ₹7,000 and the third-place winners with ₹5,000 in cash prizes. In the girls’ category, Anjali Patidar (Barkatullah University, Bhopal) stood first, Subhita Kushwaha (Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa) second and Tulsa Ahirwar (Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University, Chhatarpur) third. In the boys’ category, Aditya Khatik (Jiwaji University, Gwalior) stood first, Anurag Bhadauria (Jiwaji University, Gwalior) second and Dharmendra Patel (Maharaja Chhatrasal Bundelkhand University, Chhatarpur) third.
The first- and second-place winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will represent Madhya Pradesh in Patna on the upcoming 3rd. At the end of the programme, Savita Thakur, Joint Director (IEC), Madhya Pradesh State AIDS Control Committee, proposed the vote of thanks, and D.B. Singh, Programme Officer of The Bhopal School of Social Sciences, Bhopal, presented mementos to all the guests.
Hashtags: #MadhyaPradesh #Bhopal #RedRun #MiniMarathon #HIVAwareness #Youth #HIV #AIDSAwareness #DeAddiction #NSS
