National Red Run 3.0 to be hosted in Nagaland to raise HIV, STI awareness

Around 140 runners from 35 states and UTs to take part

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), in collaboration with the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) and Nagaland Athletics Association (NAA), is set to host the National Red Run 3.0 on October 30 at the Agri Expo, 4th Mile in Chümoukedima.

This was announced by Dr. Ahu Sekhose, project director of NSACS, during a press conference on Tuesday at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.

The event is being organised under the aegis of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,. A curtain-raiser event was held in Kohima on October 23.

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Dr. Sekhose stated that the event aims to raise awareness about HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), promote healthy lifestyles, and engage youth and communities in collective action for health and well-being.

Around 35 states and union territories are participating in the third edition of the Red Run, with 140 individuals running the 10 km marathon.

The Red Run was conceptualised in 2023 under NACO, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the focus on creating awareness. The first two editions were hosted by Goa in 2023 and 2024.

In the 10 km competitive category, two male and two female representatives from each state, aged 17–25 and who are state-level winners, will compete. The prizes for the 10 km competitive category include INR 50,000 each for the first-place winners (male and female), INR 35,000 each for the second-place winners, and INR 25,000 each for the third-place winners.

According to Dr. Sekhose, the marathon will kick off on October 30 at 5:30 am from the Agri Expo in Chümoukedima. Participants in the 10 km competitive category will run from Agri Expo to CT Square and back.

Metevinuo Sakhrie, NSACS joint director (IEC & MS), informed that in the 2 km open (general) category, the solidarity run will include participants from schools, government departments, the district administration, police, NGOs, youth organisations, and Churches, making the event inclusive and participatory.

Around 700 runners are expected to join this category. Although no cash prize is offered, every participant will receive a certificate and a medal.

Red Ribbon Quiz Competition

Among a series of events scheduled till October 31, the Red Ribbon Quiz Competition grand finale, organised by NSACS under the aegis of NACO, will be held on October 31 at Tetso College. Sakhrie said this initiative aims to empower youth with accurate information and inspire them to lead a healthy, responsible, and stigma-free life.

She explained that the finalists represent winners from four regional zones — Manipur, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Kerala — with two students representing each zone. The prizes include INR 1 lakh for first place, INR 75,000 for second, INR 50,000 for third, and INR 25,000 for the consolation winner.

The quiz competition engages students aged 13–17 years with objectives to impart comprehensive knowledge on HIV and STIs, provide an interactive platform for youth on health and well-being, address reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene, and lifestyle, dispel myths and social taboos, reduce stigma and discrimination, and raise awareness on the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.

Traffic restrictions for National Red Run 3.0

The deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) informed during the press conference that, to ensure the safety and convenience of runners and road users, several temporary traffic diversions and restrictions will be enforced along National Highway-29 on the morning of October 30.

The entire right-hand stretch of NH-29 from Agri Expo (4th Mile) to 7th Mile Junction will remain closed to all vehicular traffic during the event.

To minimise disruptions, the police department has devised a plan to allow traffic flow on one side of the lane while the marathon takes place on the other side. The event is scheduled to start at 5:30 am and is expected to conclude by 7:00 am, after which traffic will resume as usual.