15.080 Runners Fill Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026, Gaungkan Movement Against Karhutla

Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru City, Sunday (19/7/), followed by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries.

PEKANBARU - The Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru City, Sunday (19/7) which was attended by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries.

This largest running event in Sumatra is one of the series of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Bhayangkara Day and carries a strong message about environmental preservation through the theme "Run with Purpose, Move Forward with Riau" which was raised in the Riau Lawan Karhutla movement.

Thousands of participants were released directly by the Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan accompanied by the Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto, the Commander of the XIX/Tuanku Tambusai Army General Agus Hadi Waluyo, and the Head of the Riau High Prosecutor (Kajati) I Dewa Gede Wirajana in front of the Riau Police Headquarters.

The release was carried out gradually, starting at 05.30 WIB for the Half Marathon (21K) category, followed by 06.00 WIB for the 10K and 5K categories.

Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru City, Sunday (19/7/), followed by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries.

The enthusiasm of the participants was very high. In addition to coming from various provinces in Indonesia, the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was also attended by international runners from France, Kenya, Malaysia, and Singapore, strengthening the position of this event as one of the international running sports events that continue to grow in Indonesia.

Based on the committee's data, as many as 2,511 runners participated in the 21K category, 5,000 runners in the 10K category, and 7,569 runners in the 5K category, so that the total participants reached 15,080 people.

Not only as a sports event, the 2026 Riau Bhayangkara Run also carries a message of concern for the environment through the implementation of Green Policing which has been the flagship program of the Riau Police.

As a symbol of this commitment, each participant received a Nona Seroja elephant child doll, an icon of wildlife conservation in Riau, as well as seeds of Trembesi trees, which are expected to be planted as part of the greening movement and prevention of forest and land fires.

Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan said the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was one of the series of the 80th Bhayangkara Day which not only invited the public to live a healthy life, but also fostered concern for the preservation of nature.

"This activity is a series of the 80th Bhayangkara Day. Through the theme of Riau Lawan Karhutla, let's together take care of elephants, take care of tigers, and take care of the environment so that it remains sustainable," said Herry.

He invited all participants to use this momentum as the beginning of building positive spirits and strengthening togetherness.

"Today we gather to get better. Let's forget all the bad thoughts and move together to build positive energy. Thank you to all the runners who have been present and become part of this movement," he said.

Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru City, Sunday (19/7/), followed by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries.

The Police Chief also mentioned the cool atmosphere that enveloped Pekanbaru City after the rain the night before as a reminder that nature will provide benefits if it is maintained together.

"If we take care of nature, then nature will take care of us. Like the rain that fell last night so that the morning air became cool. That is a reminder that humans and nature must live side by side," he said.

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto appreciated the implementation of the 2026 Riau Bhayangkara Run, which he considered able to combine sports with environmental rescue campaigns.

Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru City, Sunday (19/7/), followed by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries.

According to him, the theme of Riau Lawan Karhutla is a reminder for all elements of society to jointly prevent forest and land fires, which every year become a concern in the Riau Province.

"I would like to thank the Riau Police Chief and all his staff for organizing the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026. Through this activity, we convey the message that we are together against forest and land fires to keep Riau green," said SF Hariyanto.

In addition to presenting a running competition, Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 is also a people's party that is filled with various supporting activities, including UMKM bazaars, entertainment, and performances by national musicians Ndarboy Genk and Charlie Van Houten who enliven the atmosphere with thousands of participants and the public at the Mapolda Riau field.

Through this year's implementation, the Riau Bhayangkara Run not only strengthens the image of Riau as a sports tourism destination, but also becomes a media for public education that sports can be an effective means of building collective awareness to protect forests, protect wildlife, and strengthen joint commitments to realize a sustainable environment.