Punjab Youth Run 2026: AAP Holds 5.5 Km Marathon In Mohali To Promote Drug Free Punjab

Thousands of youngsters, sportspersons and residents took part in the 5.5 kilometre Punjab Youth Run 2026 in Mohali as the Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab Youth Wing used the event to promote fitness and raise awareness against drug abuse.

The run was organised under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign and began early in the morning from Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib. Participants included young people, women, senior citizens and sports enthusiasts from different parts of Punjab.

The event featured participation medals and T shirts for those who took part, while winners were awarded cash prizes of up to ₹11,000.

AAP Punjab Youth Wing president and MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura said the large turnout reflected people’s desire for a healthier Punjab.

“The response

showed that the people of Punjab wanted to see a healthy, vibrant and drug-free Punjab. The event was not merely a political programme but an initiative for Punjab and its people,” Lalpura said.

He added that similar runs would be organised in Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda and Ludhiana to take the campaign to more parts of the state.

ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੀ ਭਗਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਵਾਲੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰੱਖਣ ਦੇ ਉਪਰਾਲੇ ਤਹਿਤ ਮੋਹਾਲੀ ਵਿਖੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਯੂਥ ਰਨ – 2026 ਮੈਰਾਥਨ ਦਾ ਆਯੋਜਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ। ਹਜ਼ਾਰਾਂ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੈਰਾਥਨ ‘ਚ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਕਾਮਯਾਬ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਅਤੇ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤੀ ਦਾ ਸੁਨੇਹਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
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As part of its… pic.twitter.com/XmSXVWzCLK

— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) August 9, 2026

Meet Hayer Highlights Sports Push

AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer congratulated the organisers and participants, saying that bringing young people towards sports could play an important role in the fight against drugs.

“Connecting youngsters with the playground and promoting fitness is one of the most important steps in the fight against drugs,” Hayer said.

He also highlighted the increase in Punjab’s sports budget, saying it had risen from around ₹150 crore when he took charge of the Sports Department to approximately Rs 1,800 crore now.

Hayer urged participants to continue exercising beyond the event.

“Do not treat the marathon as a one-day activity. Make walking, running and exercise a regular part of your daily lives,” he said.

More Runs Planned Across Punjab

AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang also praised the turnout and stressed the importance of making physical activity part of everyday life.

“Fitness and physical activity should become an integral part of everyone’s life. I appreciate the thousands of participants who joined the marathon,” Kang said.

AAP leaders said similar programmes would be held across Punjab as part of efforts to promote sports, fitness and healthy living, while strengthening the campaign for a drug free state.