Merdeka Run 2026: Thousands of Steps, One Indonesian Spirit
Thousands of runners filled the streets in front of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Saturday morning (08/29) to take part in Merdeka Run 2026. Held to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the running event brought together participants in a spirit of togetherness.
Carrying the spirit of “Bangun, Bergerak, Merdeka” (Rise, Move, Be Free), Merdeka Run 2026 drew 12,000 participants from various backgrounds, ranging from professional athletes and running communities to members of the public seeking to celebrate independence through sports. Participants competed in a single 8K category, starting in front of the Merdeka Palace on Medan Merdeka Utara Street.
Before sunrise, runners had already filled the area around the Merdeka Palace. Red hues dominated the rows of participants as they prepared to take on the course, creating a vibrant spectacle and bringing distinctive energy to the Independence celebration. Participants were also treated to a drone show lighting up the sky in front of the Palace.
This year’s Merdeka Run was designed not only as a mass-participation running event, but also as a competition meeting technical standards that gave the runners room to deliver their best performances. The course was secured and precisely measured, with the safety and comfort of participants remaining a priority. The event also actively involved Indonesia’s top athletes in the competition.
Starting from the front of the Merdeka Palace, participants ran along the main streets of central Jakarta before finishing in the area around the National Monument (Monas). A fly-past by Indonesian Air Force fighter jets marked the start of this year’s Merdeka Run.
At precisely 6:00 a.m. local time, the race was officially flagged off by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya. With a 120-minute time limit, the 8K category was designed to challenge performance-oriented runners while remaining accessible to members of the public taking part in a running event for the first time.
The excitement continued even after participants crossed the finish line. The Monas area was transformed into a Race Village, or Kampung Merdeka, offering a range of activities for participants and the public. A total of 81 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also enlivened the area, which was open to the public free of charge, alongside an entertainment stage and several photo spots for visitors.
The participation of MSMEs was part of an effort to make Merdeka Run more than just a sporting competition. The movement of thousands of participants also created opportunities for economic activity while bringing communities, business owners, athletes, and members of the public together in a shared celebration of independence.
Merdeka Run 2026 also builds on the spirit of last year’s event, when thousands of people ran together along Jakarta’s main thoroughfares to commemorate the Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
Through Merdeka Run 2026, the spirit of independence once again came closer to the people. Independence is celebrated not only through ceremonies and formal commemorations, but also by moving together, maintaining people’s health, strengthening unity, and fostering optimism. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (AY/TM)
