Friendship Run Encourages Spirit of Awakening

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

The Bank Jateng Friendship Run runner was released by the Managing Director of Bank Jateng Supriyatno, Deputy Leader of Kompas Daily Budiman Tanuredjo and in the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah area, Jakarta, on Sunday (11/9/2022).

Starting in August from Semarang, Central Java, the Bank Jateng Friendship Run 2022 was welcomed in Jakarta on Sunday (11/9/2022). The running event, which is a warm-up for the Borobudur Marathon 2022, aimed to raise a public spirit of awakening and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic through recreational sports.

The Friendship Run in Jakarta, which is centered in the area of the Purna Bhakti Pertiwi Museum in East Jakarta, saw the participation of around 1,000 runners from 15 running communities. Some participants dressed in an eccentric manner. Others ran in traditional clothes, such as those from Java and Papua, while others donned suits, complete with workbags.

Other participants even wore gowns and dinosaur costumes. Instead of a race to clock the fastest participants, the event was more like a 5-kilometer, leisurely running festival inviting people to have fun and make friends, regardless of their background or occupation.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Officers encourage Bank Jateng Friendship Run runners as they pass through the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah area, Jakarta, on Sunday (11/9/2022).

To motivate the participants further, the committee provided prizes, including special scarves for runners who finished before the 75-minute cutoff time. There was also an award for the runner with the best costume.

“We see extraordinary enthusiasm from the participants. Their enthusiasm is very high. It shows that in the post-pandemic [period], people long to be active and do activities together," said Bank Jateng president director Supriyatno.

Also read:

> Borobudur Marathon Continues to Innovate

> Mission in the Land of Borobudur

This enthusiasm is in line with the theme of the Borobudur Marathon 2022, which will be held on 12-13 Nov. in Magelang, Central Java. "With the theme 'Stronger to Victory', we are also trying to spread the spirit of awakening among the Indonesian people, who are [generally] optimistic people," added Supriyatno.

Jakarta is the second city after Semarang to host the Friendship Run 2022. The event will be hosted on 25 Sept. in Medan, North Sumatra, and on 9 Oct. in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Continued innovation

According to Kompas daily deputy chairman Budiman Tanuredjo, the Friendship Run hosted in these four cities is one of the Borobudur Marathon’s latest innovations. The friendly run was being held to enable runners from a number of regions to feel the excitement of the Borobudur Marathon, even though they cannot take part in the main event in November in Magelang.

"The pandemic was very heavy. Now, people need to heal, one way of which is through sports. However, the sport is not only for achievements, but rather for recreation. The Borobudur Marathon offers that, namely running in the midst of a tourism destination with nature, culture, local cuisine and a warm welcome from the local residents," said Budiman.

The competitive race at the Borobudur Temple complex would only involve 5,000 general participants in the Candi Tilik, or the half marathon category. The marathon is limited to 50 elite participants.

Borobudur Marathon project head Sri Aswito Zainul said that participants for this year’s Borobudur Marathon would still be limited to avoid 10,000 participants running on the main day, like before the pandemic. The competitive race at the Borobudur Temple complex would only involve 5,000 general participants in the Candi Tilik, or the half marathon category. The marathon is limited to 50 elite participants.

To encourage the birth of young athletes in long-distance running, this year the committee was also holding a new category dubbed Young Talent.

"It is possible that this time, the Young Talent might not produce new runners. However, [the new category] is the answer to our concerns so far. Around us, there are many running competitions, but no one has focused on regenerating runners. Actually, this is our common interest,” Aswito said regarding the new category for the 10-kilometer event.

The Young Talent will be joined by 30 runners from 15-18 years old. The majority of participants come from running clubs or regional training centers in Central Java. Participants are selected after passing a number of stages.

“We are selective in finding [Young Talent] participants. Only those who meet certain conditions, including having a coach and a clear training program, can participate. Of the 97 who initially registered, only 30 were selected,” said Aswito.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

Bank Jateng Friendship Run runners in unique costumes pass through the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah area, Jakarta, Sunday (11/9/2022).

Besides taking aprt in the Friendship Run in Jakarta, Valentino, one participant, is also registered for the Tilik Candi. He longs for the village and tourist environment on the course of the Borobudur Marathon.

“I take part in running competitions to stay fit and have fun. I chose the Borobudur Marathon for the second time because I am happy with the route around the tourist sites and the many interesting attractions [provided by] local residents. The committee is also professional," said Valentino, who also participated in the 2019 edition of the Borobudur Marathon.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)