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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian Ministers Kick Off 'Merdeka Run 2026' in Jakarta

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Approximately 12,000 runners participated in the 'Merdeka Run 2026' in Jakarta.
  • The event was flagged off by Ministers Erick Thohir, Prasetyo Hadi, and Teddy Indra Wijaya.
  • The 8-kilometer race served as the closing event for Indonesia's 81st Independence Month celebrations.

Jakarta's iconic Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) was the starting point for the 'Merdeka Run 2026' on Saturday, drawing approximately 12,000 participants for an 8-kilometer race.

The event saw prominent government figures, including Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, officially start the run at 6:00 AM. The race route weaved through key Jakarta landmarks, including Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan MH Thamrin, Bundaran HI, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, and Dukuh Atas, before returning to the palace.

This run was more than just a sporting event; it served as the grand finale to the month-long celebrations commemorating Indonesia's 81st anniversary of independence. Participants of all ages and abilities joined, with categories including general, family, master, and wheelchair divisions, showcasing a broad community engagement.

The 'Merdeka Run 2026' highlighted the vibrant spirit of the nation as it concluded its Independence Month festivities, bringing together thousands in a shared activity celebrating national pride and healthy living.

About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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