About the World AIDS Day RED RUN – Proudly hosted by Positive East
Since 2009, East London’s HIV charity Positive East has organised the World AIDS Day RED RUN on the last weekend of November, just before World AIDS Day on 1st December.
The RED RUN has grown from a small gathering of 50 people to one of the UK’s biggest annual HIV community events, attended by thousands each year and becoming a pivotal event in the journey towards a world where everyone living with HIV can thrive.
Last year, the RED RUN raised £223,000 for 30 HIV charities — from local and grassroots organisations to charities with a national reach. Since its inception, the RED RUN has raised over £1.5 million for HIV support and prevention projects across the UK.
The RED RUN focuses on community, not competition, and encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part. It is a celebration, an acknowledgement of our community resilience, and a reminder of the work still to be done. It’s an opportunity for us to stand shoulder to shoulder as a strong and unified community. It’s an act of solidarity against HIV stigma, a gathering of remembrance for all those whose fight against HIV ended too soon, and a call to action to ensure equity and equality for all.
The RED RUN is a 5k/10k charity walk and fun run centred around the RED RUN Village, which includes mini exhibitions, AIDS Quilt displays, HIV charity tables, DJs and entertainment. Importantly, the annual Unsung Heroes exhibition acknowledges and celebrates all those who have quietly worked in the background, ensuring the HIV sector is able to flourish.
We’re not done yet!
It has now been over 40 years since the first recorded cases of HIV/AIDS were confirmed, and this year’s RED RUN takes place against the backdrop of a momentous time in the world of HIV. London and the UK have exceeded the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target — 90% of those living with HIV are diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 90% of those on treatment are adhering. PrEP is now available on the NHS, and U=U is a scientific statement of fact: if you are HIV positive, adhering to your medication, and have an undetectable HIV viral load, it is biologically impossible to pass the virus on to your sexual partners.
However, amid this good news, the challenge remains that not everyone and not all communities are benefiting. HIV stigma is still a reality, and there are far too many people who are undiagnosed or diagnosed late. 50,000 Londoners are living with HIV, and HIV support services are still needed. We have mourned the loss of tens of millions of people whose fight against HIV ended too soon.
Now is certainly not the time for us to stand down. Take Action. Lace Up.