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Brimob Run 8K: Riau Police Mark 80 Years With Costumed Community Race
The Riau Police Mobile Brigade celebrated eight decades of service with a unique 8-kilometer fun run, featuring teams in creative costumes and focusing on themes of sustainability and community closeness. (Brimob Run 8K)
Pekanbaru, Indonesia - The Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) of the Riau Regional Police commemorated a significant milestone—its 80th anniversary—with an innovative public sports event that captured the spirit of the community. The "Brimob Run 8K," held on November 22, 2025, attracted a massive crowd of approximately 1,600 participants from across Riau province, turning the streets near the police headquarters into a river of color and creativity. This was not a conventional competitive race but a celebratory run designed to bridge the gap between the police force and the public through shared activity and artistic expression.
A defining feature of the event was its emphasis on themed costumes and team participation. Participants registered in groups of eight, a number symbolically tied to the 80th year, and were encouraged to forego standard running gear in favor of imaginative outfits. The result was a festive parade where runners dressed as environmental symbols like elephants and trees, cultural icons, and even cartoon characters shared the road. The Riau Police Chief, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, led by example, running with his team while wearing a Superman jersey.
The event carried a profound message that extended beyond physical exercise. Under the banner "Brimob Presisi untuk Lestari," the run served as a platform to advocate for environmental conservation. Police Chief Heryawan used the occasion to call for public care for nature, specifically highlighting the need to protect the habitat of the Tesso Nilo National Park (TNTN). "TNTN is the home of elephants from the past until now... Today, through this activity, we voice justice for animals that cannot speak," he asserted during the event.
Logistically, the event was meticulously organized and free to enter, ensuring wide accessibility. The 8-kilometer route formed a loop starting at Mapolda Riau, winding through major city streets such as Jalan Diponegoro and Sisingamangaraja, before returning to the finish line. In addition to the run, organizers held parallel contests for the best costume and the most creative promotional video, with cash prizes adding to the incentive for community involvement.
The run’s inclusive nature was a point of pride for the organizers. Special consideration was made to ensure persons with disabilities could participate fully, with several dedicated teams joining the route to great applause. One participant from a disability team, Yuli Hermawati, expressed her joy, saying, "We are happy to be involved. We are ready to run!". This emphasis on inclusivity reinforced the event's core theme of community unity.
The anniversary run was part of a larger series of events honoring the Brimob's eight decades of service. In a separate ceremonial gathering, Police Chief Heryawan reflected on the corps' heritage, praising the "DNA of loyalty" inherited from legendary figures in Brimob history. He urged personnel to translate the anniversary theme, "Brimob Presisi untuk Masyarakat," into tangible actions by maintaining direct and helpful contact with the people they serve.
From a broader perspective, the Brimob Run 8K represents a modern and effective model of community policing. By initiating a positive, non-enforcement interaction that celebrated public creativity and shared values, the Riau Police successfully fostered goodwill and strengthened their social license to operate. The event transformed the police from distant authority figures into collaborative community partners.
The resounding success of the Brimob Run 8K demonstrates the power of soft engagement in building public trust. As the anniversary celebrations wind down, the memorable image of thousands of costumed citizens running alongside their police not only marks a historical milestone for the Brimob but also sets a hopeful precedent for the future of police-community relations in the region.
(Qiyas Zia)
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