DURC 10K promotes noise pollution awareness on DU campus

10-kilometre awareness run, titled DURC 10K 2026, was held at the University of Dhaka on Saturday, 3 January 2026, to raise public awareness about noise pollution under the theme "Run Against Noise Pollution".

Organised by the Dhaka University Runners Community (DURC), with the Department of Environment as co-organiser, the run started and finished at the university's central playground after looping around the campus.

A total of 2,000 runners from across the country participated in the event in 5km and 10km categories. Participants included current and former Dhaka University students, professionals from government and private organisations, members of the uniformed services, and runners of various age groups and genders.

The event formally commenced at 5:45am with a warm-up session led by national boxing champion Sura Krishna Chakma, followed by an inaugural address from Dr Md Kamruzzaman, NDC, Director General of the Department of Environment. The 10km race started at 5:55am, followed by the 5km race at 6:00am. Time limits were set at one hour and forty minutes for the 10km race and one hour for the 5km race.

Participants who completed the race within the stipulated time received finisher medals, T-shirts, kit bags, and other gifts. A total of 24 runners were awarded podium prizes across male, female, and senior categories, while all other participants received finisher medals. The prize-giving ceremony began at 7:45am.

The race route covered key campus landmarks, including the Swimming Pool area, Shaheed Minar, Fuller Road, VC Square, Nilkhet, Raju Sculpture, Shahbagh, Dhaka University Metro Station, Doel Chattar, and the High Court intersection, completing two loops for the 10km category.

Several distinguished guests attended the programme, including Dhaka University Assistant Proctor Dr Rafiqul Islam; Farid Ahmed, Project Director of the Integrated Noise Pollution Control Project; SM Zakaria, Acting Director of the DU Physical Education Centre; Sehrin Amin Monami, DU Assistant Proctor; Dr Salma Arju, Deputy Director; Sadik Kayem, DUCSU Vice-President; Arman Hossain, DUCSU Sports Secretary; and others.

Advisers to the event included Swan Group Chairman and veteran DU runner Khabir Uddin Khan, while ambassadors featured Sura Krishna Chakma and Everest summiteer Ikramul Hasan Shakil. Guest runners included ultramarathon runner Lutfar Rahman, Dr Ironman Arifur Rahman Belal, and Dr AKM Sahed Reza.

The race was coordinated by Md Muktar Hossain, with SM Sadek as Race Director and Ahsan Ullah serving as Volunteer Director.

The event received support from multiple sponsors and partners, including Swan Group, Maggi, Euro Pharma Limited, Fresh, Jamuna Television, The Business Standard, Bonik Barta, among others.

Founded during the Covid-19 period by Dhaka University student Md Istiaq Uddin, DURC works to promote physical and mental well-being among students through awareness-driven initiatives. The DURC 10K was held for the third consecutive year, aiming to spread the message of noise pollution prevention from university campuses across the country.