Mysuru/Mandya: The Safe Mysuru Marathon, organised by the Mysuru city police and Mysuru district police under the statewide Karnataka State Police Run 2026 initiative, received an overwhelming response, transforming the event into a celebration of fitness, unity, and community spirit.The Mysuru Palace witnessed a massive turnout early Sunday morning, as hundreds of enthusiastic participants gathered for the run. The event was flagged off by district minister HC Mahadevappa, in the presence of MLAs GT Devegowda and TS Srivatsa.Senior officials, including Southern Range IGP MB Boralingaiah, police commissioner Seema Latkar, deputy commissioner Lakshmikanth Reddy, zilla panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, and superintendent of police Mallikarjun Baladandi, also took part. Actors Amrutha Iyengar and Brinda Acharya motivated the runners with their presence and encouraging words.The run featured 5km and 10km categories, drawing participants across age groups — students, professionals, senior citizens and police personnel.Meanwhile in Mandya, comedian and actor Nataraj, popularly known as Gilli Nata, connected with participants by highlighting the crucial role of students in building an addiction-free society. Participating in the run organised by the Mandya district police at the Vishveshwaraiah District Stadium, held under the theme ‘For Awareness, For Strength, For a Drug-Free Mandya’, he urged youth to avoid harmful habits and lauded the police department’s creative approach to spreading awareness.Mandya deputy commissioner Kumara emphasised that the country’s future depends on the well-being of its youth, urging them to stay away from drugs and narcotic substances. He warned that addiction destroys not only individual lives but also the fabric of society.Addressing participants, Kumara said drug abuse has emerged as a global menace, severely affecting the physical and mental health of young people. He cautioned that the momentary pleasure offered by narcotics leads to long-term suffering, harming the body and brain at a cellular level.Superintendent of police VJ Shobharani described the run as a meaningful step towards realising a drug-free Karnataka.
