A total of 16,000 runners participated this year Jakarta Marathon, which is a 6.7% increase from last year’s 15,000 participants, and a whopping 60% increase from 10,000 participants in its inaugural year in 2013.

Similar to previous year, there were 5 categories in Jakarta Marathon 2016: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10, 5k and 1k Maratoonz (Children’s Sprint). Among the 16,000 runners, 2,500 were full marathon runners, 3,500 participated in half marathon, 4,500 were 10k runners, while 5k had the highest number of runners at 5,500 people. In addition, 300 kids aged 7 to 10 participated in 1k Maratoonz (Children’s Sprint) category.

The full marathon race was flagged off at 5.00 am, followed by half-marathon at 5.10 am, 10k at 5.20 am, 5k at 5.30 am and Maratoonz at 8.00 am.

The Race Pack Collection took place at Kuningan City mall, from 20 to 22 October 2016. Sport and Running Expo was also held at the Race Pack Collection event, featuring sport and running products.

The Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya, and Jakarta’s governor, Basuki Tjahaya Purnama, hoped to increase the number of tourists into the city and country as well as to boost the country’s economy through Jakarta Marathon. The governor of Jakarta was also proud to prove that the hectic and jam-packed city of Jakarta could be transformed into a running course with international standard.

Race Route

The race route emphasizes on the city’s iconic landmarks, such as Kota Tua (Old Town), Fatahillah Square, Gereja Katedral (Jakarta Cathedral), Masjid Istiqlal (Istiqlal Mosque), Monas (National Monument), and Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (Hotel Indonesia Roundabout).

Race Results

The winners for open categories are dominated by Kenyan runners. Kennedy Kiproo Lilan finished in first place for Full Marathon Men’s Open with the timing of 2:21:24, while Full Marathon Women’s Open winner title is won by Kiplimo Jacqueline Nyetipei with the timing of 2:42:24.

Joseph Mwangi Ngare and Peninah Jepkoech Kigen took home the champion titles for Half Marathon Men’s Open and Half Marathon Women’s Open categories, with the timings of 1:05:26 and 1:18:31.

As for Indonesia categories, Agus Prayogo claimed victory for Full Marathon with the timing of 2:41:12, while Holil won the Full Marathon Senior category with the timing of 3:05:19.

Challenges

Organising a major marathon event is definitely not without any challenges. One of the challenges was the race prize. As the winner of Full Marathon Men’s Open, Kennedy Kiproo Lilan received a prize of IDR 42 million (S$ 4,490). Kennedy admitted that he was disappointed with the prize, as it was significantly lower than the previous year’s prize of IDR 250 million (S$ 26,700).

This year’s total cash prize is IDR 500 million (S$ 53,400), a massive decrease from last year’s total cash prize of IDR 2.6 billion (S$ 278,000). Chairman of Jakarta Marathon, Sapta Nirwandar, explained,

“The prize was not only cash, there were also flight tickets and other prizes. Nevertheless, we will increase the cash prizes for next year event.”

Rain also posed a big challenge for the runners. Certain people are more prone to developing blisters under wet condition than others, thus making this race a real test of their ultimate endurance. There are also people who embrace the rain and are grateful that rain brought cool temperature which helps them to push forward to the finish line.

Rain or shine, the race must go on. For those who have successfully braved the rain and made it to the finish line, congratulations to you!