15,080 Runners Champion Anti-Forest Fire Movement at Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026
The Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was officially held in Pekanbaru this morning. Attended by tens of thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia and abroad, the participants championed the ‘Riau Against Forest and Land Fires’ campaign. The largest running event in Sumatra formed part of the 80th National Police Day commemorations, carrying a strong message about environmental conservation through the theme ‘Run with Purpose, Move Forward with Riau’, which underpinned the Riau Against Forest and Land Fires movement. Thousands of participants were officially released by Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan, accompanied by Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto, Commander of Military Region XIX/Tuanku Tambusai Major General Agus Hadi Waluyo, and Riau High Prosecutor I Dewa Gede Wirajana in front of the Riau Police Headquarters on Sunday (19/7/2026). The start was conducted in two waves, at 05:30 WIB for the Half Marathon (21K) category, followed by 06:00 WIB for the 10K and 5K categories. Participant enthusiasm was notably high. Beyond the thousands of domestic runners, the event also attracted international participants from France, Kenya, Malaysia, and Singapore, reinforcing its status as a growing international-scale running event in Indonesia. According to committee data, 2,511 runners took part in the 21K category, 5,000 in the 10K, and 7,569 in the 5K. More than just a sporting event, the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 served as a vehicle for environmental awareness through the implementation of Green Policing, a flagship programme of the Riau Police. As a symbol of this commitment, each participant received a Nona Seroja baby elephant mascot and a Trembesi tree seedling, intended to be planted as part of a reforestation and forest fire prevention movement. Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan stated that the run was part of the 80th National Police Day celebrations, aiming not only to promote a healthy lifestyle but also to foster care for nature. He urged participants to use the moment to build positive energy and togetherness, noting that the cool morning air following overnight rain served as a reminder that nature rewards those who protect it. Acting Governor SF Hariyanto expressed appreciation for the event, highlighting how it successfully merged sport with a campaign for environmental rescue. He stressed that the theme of fighting forest and land fires was a call for all elements of society to work together to keep Riau green. The event also featured a people’s party with MSME bazaars, entertainment, and performances by national musicians Ndarboy Genk and Charlie Van Houten, enlivening the atmosphere for thousands of participants and the public at the Riau Police Headquarters field.