Sport-tourism thrives in Indonesia

Published on : Wednesday, September 23, 2015

INSPIRO.Following the success of the two previous editions, the  Jakarta Marathon, – biggest running event in Indonesia – will again turn the streets of the capital city of Jakarta into a colossal race track for thousands of runners on Sunday, 25th October 2015. This mega sport-tourism event is jointly presented by the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia and the Jakarta Provincial Government in cooperation with  promoters INSPIRO.

To promote Jakarta Marathon 2015, the Ministry of Tourism along with the city of Jakarta and promoters jointly held a press conference and opened a registration booth at the Tokyo Marathon Expo 2015  in Japan a day before the Tokyo Marathon 2015 that also marked the opening of the World Series Marathon held on 22nd February 2015.

Initiator and Chairman of Jakarta Marathon, Sapta Nirwandar,  explained that the pre -event in Tokyo was aimed to attract participation from international runners. He added that in the two previous editions of Jakarta Marathon in 2013 and 2014, runners from Japan dominated  international participants, 250 Japanese participated in 2013, while the number grew to 350 in 2014.

Meanwhile in the official press release, Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, stated that “Jakarta Marathon is an important part among Indonesia’s  Seven Programs on Special Interest, which is  sports and recreation that is currently encouraged by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia to attract tourists from all over the world to come and Enjoy Jakarta. Through the Jakarta Marathon, we want to portray Jakarta also  as a sports-tourism  destination and  globally included among the six major cities in the world  acknowledged as the World Marathon Majors, so that Jakarta can also be  appreciated as  a world-class city”

In line with the Minister, Jakarta’s Governor,  Basuki Tjahaja Purnama asserted that, “The people of Jakarta are very enthusiastic to welcome  the 3rd Jakarta Marathon that has become an annual event in Jakarta and Indonesia. We hope that this event will continue to boost the number of international tourists to Jakarta, because through Jakarta Marathon we can introduce and show the beauty of megapolitan Jakarta to the rest of the world”.

In 2014,  it was recorded that  50 countries took part in Jakarta Marathon while  the total number of participants reached 14,120. There were more than 1,200 international runners from many countries, that included  Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, USA, UK and Australia. “The number of participants in Jakarta Marathon has been increasing from year to year since the first time it was held in 2013. Given the high enthusiasm,  we  target the total number to reach 15,000 participants for  Jakarta Marathon 2015,” said  Sapta Nirwandar.

Similar to the two previous editions’ of Jakarta Marathon, the starting point and finish line will take place at the Southwest gate of the National Monument (Monas). The event will again feature four categories, namely: the full marathon 42.195 km, the  half marathon 21 km, 10 km and a special “Maratoonz” category  (a 1.3 km marathon for children).

As in previous years, The Full and Half Marathon route will take competing athletes and participants pass some of Jakarta’s most well known landmarks that include the National Monument or Monas, the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral across, the Old Batavia (Kota Tua) and the Fatahillah Square, and  the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout. Meanwhile the 10K and 5K runners will be presented with some of the most impressive buildings in Jakarta’s own central business district. The Jakarta Marathon has received certification from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) with elevation level 0 m/km which is valid for 5 years from 2013.

Adding to the festivities, the event will also be highlighted with a cultural festival featuring variety of Indonesian traditional art performances such as Gambang Kromong, Tanjidor, Bale Ganjur, Tabuik, Barongsai (lion Dance), Reog Ponorogo, Rampak Kendang, and more. There will also be a DJ performance and a special show by the top teenage girl’s band JKT48. Participants will also be treated with an array of  Indonesian culinary delights in a culinary festival.

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