Red Run state-level marathon held in Kohima

KOHIMA — Amidst drizzles and cloudy weather, the Red Run State-Level Marathon under Youth Fest activity, an initiative of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), was conducted on Thursday morning in Kohima.

The event was organised by the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) with Kohima District Athletics Association (KDAA) as officiating partner.

Additional Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, S Tainiu Khiamniungan, administered the pledge to the participants and flagged off the race at PHQ Junction.

A total of 24 participants representing 12 districts took part in the run, which culminated at Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School ground.

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Tainiu appreciated the participants for coming forward and said that their participation shows their commitment in creating awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Meanwhile, Project Director of NSACS, Dr Ahu Sekhose, in his keynote address said the event is aimed at engaging the youth in healthy lifestyle and physical activities so that they can maintain healthy living and keep themselves free from not just lifestyle diseases, but also from engaging in behaviours which put them at risk of getting infected with HIV and other STIs.

He informed that the aims and objectives of the campaign is to highlight greater visibility on the issue of HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, encourage safe and responsible sexual behaviour among the youth, promote HIV/AIDS and STI related services, and increase basic knowledge about HIV/AIDS.

Sekhose also informed that in Nagaland, the district-level marathon was held in 12 districts on August 12 to mark International Youth Day with a total of 519 RRC students, 299 males and 220 females from 58 colleges, schools and technical institutes taking part in the marathon.

Subsequently, the winners of the district-level marathon, both male and female categories, totaling 24 were selected for the state-level marathon.

Further, he informed that the first and second position winners of both male and female categories (two boys and two girls) will represent Nagaland and participate in the national-level marathon Red Run scheduled to be held in Goa on October 8, 2023.

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