BANGALORE, India — More than 500 people, ranging in age from primary school children to senior citizens, took to the streets here to support a marathon run which aimed to raise awareness about human rights abuses in Iran.

The early morning run, which followed a circuit around the city's Ulsoor lake, was organised by the Classic Road Runners Athletic Club of Bangalore. It was the debut public event for the club which decided to take the opportunity to highlight the issue of human rights after conversations with local Baha'is.

Spectators cheered on the runners while waving banners calling for the release of prisoners of conscience in Iran.

"Though the severe persecution of the Baha'is in Iran was the idea that gave the impetus to this run," said Dr. A.J. Ansari, the club's Vice-President, "this persecution is a symptom of a global problem where certain sections of our worldwide family suffer discrimination as well as active violation of basic rights for reasons that would be disconcerting to any fair minded observer."

The event was held on Sunday 9 December to mark United Nations Human Rights Day the following day.