Tura, Oct 2: The streets of Tura buzzed with energy early Friday morning as more than 350 fitness enthusiasts, students, and nature advocates gathered for the 5K Wildlife Run, titled the “Awareness Marathon Run”. Flagged off at 6am from the Chandmari Football Ground, the event marked the grand opening of Wildlife Week Celebration 2026, held under the theme “Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife”.
Jointly organized by the East and West Garo Hills Wildlife Division and the Department of Zoology, Don Bosco College, Tura (DBCT), in association with NSS (DBCT), Green Club (DBCT), Budding Earth Foundation, and S.P.E.C.I.E.S., the event is part of a nationwide celebration of Wildlife Week.
Organizers emphasized that initiatives like this are crucial to spreading awareness about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting endangered species within the community. The run also aims to promote community health and fitness through active participation.
The 5 kilometer circuit took runners through the heart of Tura, passing several local landmarks. Starting at Chandmari Football Ground, the large group navigated to Ringrey, passing Government Girls Higher Secondary School en route to the AOC Petrol Pump. The route then ascended to Hawakhana and descended to the Tetengkol junction, where participants turned toward Jerusalem. From there, runners looped back, returning past the AOC Petrol Pump to Ringrey, and completed the final stretch to cross the finish line back at the Chandmari Football Ground.
Top category finishers were awarded with participating certificates after the race, with the medals to be distributed during the closing ceremony of the week log event.
In the Men’s Category, Nirest R. Marak took first place with a winning time of 16:42.53. He was followed by John Omega Ch. Sangma in second place with a time of 17:54.23, and Selmith A. Sangma in third place at 18:28.19.
The Women’s Category saw Martha D. Sangma finish first with a time of 23:03.40. Desime G. Sangma secured second place with 24:14.50, and Danchi A. Sangma came in third with a time of 26:40.21.
And in the Youngest Participant category, 11 year old Terence Vigamo T. Sangma came in first; 13 year old Lerico N. Marak in the second position; and 12 year old Chigrik Josaiah K. Sangma posted third in the race.
The Awareness Marathon Run is the first in a comprehensive lineup of activities scheduled across Tura through October 8th. The week-long program features public awareness initiatives, radio talks, an ongoing Photography Competition on “Biodiversity of Meghalaya”, and Inter-School Competitions, including quiz, painting, and extempore speech contests, set for October 7 at Don Bosco College, Tura. The celebrations will conclude on October 8.
