NSACS Project Director Dr Ahu Sekhose and others address the media on Tuesday ahead of the NACO’s National Red Run 3.0, scheduled in Chümoukedima on October 30. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | October 28
Nagaland is gearing up to host the 'National Red Run 3.0' on October 30 in Chümoukedima. The 10K (10 km) road race is an annual event of the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO), held annually since 2023, aimed at raising awareness on HIV & AIDS, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), promoting healthy lifestyles, and engaging youth and communities in collective action for health and well-being.
Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) is hosting the third edition in collaboration with the Nagaland Olympic Association, Nagaland Athletic Association, and the Police Department.
NSACS Project Director, Dr Ahu Sekhose made the announcement on October 28, while informing that they are expecting participation from 35 states and union territories (UT).
The event will feature two categories: an interstate competition for state-level winners in the 10 km run, and a shorter 2 km Solidarity Run open to the public.
Each state and UT will be represented by 4 runners; two males and two females in the age range of 17-25 years will compete in the 10K category. It is expected to draw atleast 140 athletes. Prizes include Rs 50,000 (1st), Rs 35,000 (2nd), and Rs 25,000 (3rd) for both male and female.
According to Dr Sekhose, they adopted a systematic process to select the four runners representing Nagaland. He said that competitions were held at the district level, followed by the district level winners competing at the state-level run.
The 2 km Solidarity Run will see participation from around 700 runners — including students, government officials, police, NGOs, CSOs and churches. Participants in the general category will receive T-shirts, certificates, and medals.
The run will begin at 5:30 am at the Agri Expo, 4th Mile, and traverse NH-29 till 7th Mile and culminate back at the start point. The police have already issued an advisory informing that one side of the highway will be off-limits to vehicular traffic till the culmination of the race.
In addition to the Red Run, Nagaland will also host the finals of the Red Ribbon Quiz Competition on October 31 at Tetso College. Regional winners— Manipur, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, will converge at the finals for a total cash purse of Rs 2.5 lakh.
For organising the quiz competition, the country was divided into four zones. Each zone held its own regional quiz competition with the winners from these zonal contests making it to the finals.
The Red Ribbon Quiz involves students aged 13-17 years from Classes 8, 9, and 11 of state-run and private schools. It aims to impart comprehensive knowledge on HIV, STIs, reproductive health, and overall well-being, while addressing myths, taboos and social stigma, and also learning about the provisions of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017.
