Live a Healthy Life through Running

KOMPAS.RENY SRI AYU

Participants of the Bank Jateng Friendship Run Makassar enter the finish line, at Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (10/9/2022).

As the sun was gleaming out of the horizon, hundreds of people noisily packed the Benteng Rotterdam park in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (9/10/2022). They were preparing to take part in the 5-kilometer Bank Jateng Friendship Run, which was the prelude to the 2022 International Borobudur Marathon in November.

Among the participants was Riki Fadjar (61), a father of four and grandfather of three. He was among those who came early. After allowing himself stretches for a while, he joined the others behind the finish line, waiting for the event to be flagged.

“I am traveling alone and arrived in Makassar two days ago. I have had a variety of typical foods here. As a retired [employee], I have much free time to go anywhere. This is my 10th running event this year,” he said, smiling cheerfully.

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Running has become Riki's healthy lifestyle since 2017 when, weighing over 100 kilograms due to diabetes, he was diagnosed with kidney and heart swelling. He then took up running as his new habit in order to keep himself fit. He runs either by himself or in a group along with members of a run-community. While giving him fun, he said, running improved his life quality considerably.

Being engrossed in a healthy lifestyle, he has gradually reduced weight with his blood sugar becoming stable while the nagging diseases have barely recurred.

He has built an affinity about running in an event where he can savor the cheering atmosphere and make friends as well as explore new places. Being engrossed in a healthy lifestyle, he has gradually reduced weight with his blood sugar becoming stable while the nagging diseases have barely recurred.

“Putting it in extreme terms, if I did not run, I would die. I once participated in 70 events in a year. In fact, there are only 52 weeks in a year," he said. The Makassar run is one of the four-legged domestic warm-up events ahead of the Borobudur Marathon in Magelang, Central Java. “I have participated in all four,” he added. However, his hope to run in the Borobudur Marathon will not materialize as he has come short of getting a slot.

RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

Participants of the Bank Jateng Friendship Run Borobudur Marathon take a group photo before starting the five-kilometer exercise at Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, on Sunday (9/10/2022)

Fellow participant Irma (57), a grandmother of six, also showed up in all Friendship Runs hosted in Semarang, Jakarta, Medan and Makassar.

Hailing from Purworejo, Central Java, she half-jokingly said she did not ascribe to public gimmicks that running is the cheapest pastime, with the cost of participating in all four Friendship Runs in four cities in mind. However, like Riki, she has taken up the sport not simply for fun.

“I used to have pains in my legs and knees. However, since I got myself to run regularly, I am now recovered. That's why I find it fun to run,” she said. She wishes she is on the participant list for the Borobudur Marathon.

However, the Borobudur will mark his first run outside the region. He said he had put in extra effort to get the ticket.

Local runner Sokhibul Iman (25) appears to be lucky that he got a ticket to the Borobudur event. He said he had been participating in several running events in the last five months. However, the Borobudur will mark his first run outside the region. He said he had put in extra effort to get the ticket.

"Initially, I did not get a ticket. However, [someone] appeared to have booked a bundling [package] for a hotel and the run. And I was allowed to take the run slot," he said, adding that he would also savor it as a moment to travel.

Enthusiasm prevails

The four-legged Friendship Run is a collaboration between Kompas daily, the Central Java provincial government and Jateng Bank. The last leg in the series, the Makassar run featured participants from a number of cities, many also coming from outside the region.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, South Sulawesi Governor A. Sudirman Sulaiman and Makassar Mayor M. Ramdhan Pomanto were present during the flag-off ceremony. So were Kompas editor-in-Chief Sutta Dharmasaputra and the Jateng Bank Director Supriyatno.

“I am happy to see the enthusiasm of the people, especially the runners. This activity is being held in several cities before the Borobudur Marathon because we are still shortlisting the number of participants [for Borobudur] this year. The Friendship Run, which is a part in the series of events to the Borobudur Marathon, is an opportunity [to make up] for running lovers who may not go to the Borobudur Marathon," Ganjar said after he had arrived at the finish line.

His counterpart Sudirman applauded the spirited atmosphere. "It’s incredible. I think these participants would love to run for 50 km. I hope an activity like this makes people live a healthy life. The important thing is that Indonesia is no longer a country rated among those with citizens being lazy to move," he said.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

A total of 900 participants took part in the Bank Jateng Friendship Run Makassar event at Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (10/9/2022).

Ramdhan Pomanto echoed the same air of spirit. “I am proud and honored that Makassar was chosen as a host. I remind the participants that to run for the championship is important, but to maintain friendship is also equally important,” he said.

Sutta Dharmasaputra also expressed his relief to find enthusiastic participants. He said the success of the Friendship Run not only provided a galvanizing impetus for the Borobudur Marathon, but also boded “the strength to win” for everyone.

(This article was translated by Musthofid)