The first-ever 'Smart Bangladesh Run 2024' race competition was held at Hatirjheel in the capital amid a festive atmosphere Friday.

The ceremony was graced by Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister of for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, as the chief guest, said an a2i press release.

Aspire to Innovate-a2i and ICT Division organized the event with the theme 'Step into the Future: Run for Mission 2041', the release added.

The event was organized to promote a healthy lifestyle for citizens, build a Smart nation, and raise awareness as well as enthusiasm for the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041 among the citizens.

The race began at 6:00 am in front of Hatirjheel's amphitheater and ended there after covering a distance of 7.5 kilometres (km) around the entire Hatirjheel area.

A total of 2041 amateur runners participated in the event in four categories: women, men, people over-50s, and people with disabilities.

The 7.5 km category had separate events for women, men, and runners over 50 years old. The one km category was for runners with disabilities.

The winners of the event were determined by a chip timing system.

After the race, state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and other distinguished guests presented the awards to the winners.

A total of 19 winners in four categories were awarded cash prizes, certificates and medals.

State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak participated in the 7.5 km category to motivate the runners participating in the Smart Bangladesh Run event.

He finished the race in 68 minutes when the target was 75 minutes.
 
Palak hoped that this 'Smart Bangladesh Run 2024' will play a role in fulfilling the 2041 goals.

a2i's Project Director (Joint Secretary) Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) Mollah Mizanur Rahman, Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury, Project Manager Mazedul Islam, Head of Culture and Communications Purabi Matin, distinguished persons, public representatives and citizens of various classes and occupations including teachers-students, representatives of sports organizations, voluntary organisations and cultural workers were present on the occasion.