Photo: Collected
Kishoreganj Diabetic Association organised a 7-kilometre marathon in Kishoreganj to spread the message of staying healthy through regular walking and exercise. More than 700 people took part in the run, held on World Diabetes Day to raise awareness about preventing diabetes.
The run began at 6:30am on Saturday in front of Kishoreganj Diabetic Hospital. The marathon went around the Borpul area on the outskirts of town and finished back in front of the hospital. Most of the participants successfully completed the full 7 kilometres.
After the run a discussion and prize-giving ceremony was held at the diabetic hospital. The chief guest was State Minister for Textiles and Jute and district BNP president Md Shariful Alam. Also present were Kishoreganj-1 MP Mohammad Mazharul Islam, deputy commissioner and Diabetic Association president Sohana Nasrin, superintendent of police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, zila parishad administrator Khaled Saifullah Sohel, civil surgeon Dr Mohammad Saidur Rahman and Diabetic Association general secretary Shafiqul Islam, along with distinguished people from various walks of life.
Speakers said there is no alternative to regular walking and exercise for preventing diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. Not only people with diabetes but people of all ages need to stay physically active to remain healthy. They therefore urged everyone to look after their bodies and build healthy lifestyle habits.
In the final session, chief guest State Minister Md Shariful Alam handed prizes to the first, second and third-placed finishers in the marathon.
At a glance
According to IDF data, the country’s adult population in 2024 was 11 crore 30 lakh 54 thousand 500, of whom 13.2 per cent had diabetes.
The organisation’s Diabetes Atlas ranks Bangladesh second in the South-East Asia region on both the prevalence and the number of adults with diabetes.
Sources
Background sources: International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 2025; IDF Diabetes Atlas, 2025
