Andhra Pradesh’s 2026 state Red Run was held on BRTS Road on October 8, with organisers urging young people to share accurate information about HIV.
The Andhra Pradesh state-level Red Run Marathon 2026 was held in Vijayawada to raise awareness about HIV and the prevention of new infections. B. Smaran Raj, project director of the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), inaugurated the event on BRTS Road.
Raj said misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted continue to contribute to discrimination. He said it was particularly important to explain to young people how the virus spreads and how the risk of infection can be reduced. He also encouraged them to take part in awareness programmes.
The Red Run was conducted across all districts in the state. The top three finishers in the men’s and women’s categories from each district qualified for the state event. Participants from 28 districts took part in the state-level competition.
M. Naresh of GVD Degree College in Salur, Parvathipuram Manyam district, won the men’s event. E. Swathi of Chirala, Bapatla district, won the women’s event. Organisers said both received a prize of ₹35,000. Results from the state competition will be used to select participants for events at the next level.