Inclusive 8K Run Fosters Police-Community Bonds In Riau Anniversary Event

Pekanbaru - Unity and inclusivity took center stage as the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) of the Riau Police Department celebrated its 80th anniversary with a large-scale community sports event. The "Brimob Run 8K," held on the morning of November 22, 2025, saw an impressive turnout of around 1,600 participants from across the province, converging at the Riau Police Headquarters (Mapolda Riau) for a day dedicated to collective achievement and festivity. This event exemplified a forward-thinking approach to police-community relations, prioritizing shared experiences over formal ceremonies.

A key success of the event was its conscious effort to be accessible and engaging for all segments of society. Organizers proudly facilitated the participation of persons with disabilities, who formed dedicated teams and completed the course alongside other runners. The joy of participation was clear, as expressed by disability team member Yuli Hermawati, who declared, "We are happy to be involved. We are ready to run!". This active inclusion transformed the run from a simple race into a powerful statement about community cohesion.

The event's format encouraged camaraderie and creative expression. Participants joined as teams of eight, a nod to the 80th anniversary, and were tasked with coordinating thematic costumes. The resulting panorama was one of vibrant diversity: runners in full-body elephant and tree costumes representing the event's environmental theme shared the road with groups in traditional Riau attire and whimsical outfits like Shaun the Sheep. Even the Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, participated fully, running with his team in coordinated superhero jerseys.

Environmental conservation was woven into the fabric of the day under the theme "Brimob Presisi untuk Lestari". During the opening, Police Chief Heryawan connected the communal activity to a larger purpose, specifically calling for the protection and restoration of the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN). He framed the run as an act of solidarity with the natural world, advocating for "justice for animals that cannot speak". This gave the event a resonant, meaningful dimension beyond physical exercise.

The practical execution ensured broad accessibility. The run was free of charge, removing financial barriers to entry. The 8-kilometer route was a loop through central Pekanbaru, starting on Jalan Patimura and passing through several main thoroughfares before returning to the police headquarters. Additional competitions for creative videos and costumes, with significant cash prizes, incentivized broader community engagement and online promotion.

This public celebration was grounded in the Brimob's institutional ethos. In separate anniversary remarks, Police Chief Heryawan had highlighted the corps' foundational "DNA of loyalty," tracing it back to historical legends of the force. He stressed that the anniversary theme, "Brimob Presisi untuk Masyarakat," must be realized through down-to-earth service and direct public interaction. The run served as a perfect embodiment of this mandate, bringing police and citizens together on equal footing.

The Brimob Run 8K effectively reframed the relationship between a police unit and its community. By creating a platform where the primary interactions were encouragement, shared effort, and mutual celebration, the event built social capital and trust in an organic way. It demonstrated that community policing can flourish through positive, co-created events that appeal to common values like health, creativity, and environmental care.

Ultimately, the anniversary run achieved a significant triumph in public engagement. It provided a model for how security institutions can celebrate milestones in a way that genuinely includes and honors the community they protect. The lasting image of diverse runners—civilians and police, abled and disabled—joyfully completing the route together stands as a testament to a successful and unifying 80th-anniversary celebration for the Riau Brimob.

Tag: Anniversary Fitness Event Disability Participation Event Inclusive Community Run Police Public Engagement Riau Health And Wellness