'Run for Peace' solidarity  run calls for peaceful coexistence in Cox's Bazar

More than 400 people from different walks of life took part in a 7.5-kilometre solidarity run titled 'Run for Peace' at Cox's Bazar sea beach on Saturday, promoting social harmony, peace and dignified coexistence.

Organised by Embolden Bangladesh, with support from ActionAid Bangladesh, the Society for Health Extension and Development (SHED) and the Cox's Bazar district administration, the event brought together students, young professionals, members of youth networks and people of different age groups.

The run began at Laboni Beach Point at 6:00am. Participants followed a designated route through Holiday Mor, Ghun Gachhtala and Notun Bridge before returning to the starting point.

Organisers said the initiative was designed to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation among people from diverse backgrounds, with young people taking the lead in building trust and bridging social divisions.

A prize-giving ceremony was held at Laboni Beach Point at 7:30am, where the top three finishers in both men's and women's categories received cash prizes and certificates of recognition. The top 10 runners in each category were also rewarded.

Bipasha Anwar, Nusrat Jahan and Violi Tugade Hossain secured the first three positions in the women's category, while Ashraful Alam, Alex Parvez Palash and Zakir Hossain finished first, second and third respectively in the men's category.

Joint Secretary of the government Mohammad Shamsu-doza attended the programme as the chief guest. Praising the initiative, he called for separate running competitions or marathons involving women and children, while urging people to uphold peace, harmony and dignified coexistence.

ActionAid Bangladesh Head of Humanitarian Programme Md Abdul Alim expressed hope that the spirit of Run for Peace would inspire positive social change. Md Nazmul Ahsan, team lead of the organisation's Youth, Resilience and Climate Justice team, stressed the importance of empowering young people to promote peace and social cohesion.

Other guests included ActionAid Bangladesh Head of Finance and Administration Md Rafiqul Islam FCA, SHED Deputy Director Abdul Mannan, and Embolden Bangladesh Founder and President Inzamamul Haque.