Ballari hosts marathon to promote anti-drug, road safety awareness

Photos: SP Suman D Pennekar flags off the 5K and 10K awareness marathon in Ballari on SundayBallari: A 5k and 10k awareness marathon was organised at the DAR grounds in Ballari City on Sunday to sensitise the public against the growing menace of drug abuse, rising road accidents and cybercrime.The initiative formed part of a broader statewide campaign by Karnataka Police aimed at encouraging preventive awareness through community participation.Flagging off the event, Ballari SP Suman D Pennekar said the marathon, being conducted across Karnataka, was held in Ballari for the 3rd time. She expressed satisfaction over the response, noting that more than 1,000 participants registered this year. A special 2-kilometre walkathon was conducted for senior citizens to ensure inclusive participation.Officials highlighted that the primary objective was to steer youth away from narcotics and promote sports, fitness and a healthy lifestyle. The programme also focused on reinforcing road safety norms, helmet usage, protection of women and children, and vigilance against cyber fraud, which saw a steady rise across the state in recent years.At the conclusion of the run, winners in various categories were presented with certificates, medals and helmets as part of the road safety awareness drive. The enthusiastic participation of students, youth groups, police personnel and members of the public underscored strong community support for the campaign's message.