Indonesian runner Odekta Naibaho feels emotional connection at Merdeka Run 2026

Indonesian national runner Odekta Elvina Naibaho experienced an emotional victory at the Merdeka Run 2026 in Jakarta, crossing the finish line first in the women's 8-kilometer race with a time of 26 minutes. The win was made more poignant by the overwhelming reception she received.

Naibaho described feeling a thrill and receiving additional energy from the cheers of participants and spectators lining the course. "Happy banget pagi ini kita melihat eforia yang luar biasa dan semangat yang luar biasa. Semangat kita pada riuh, manggil-manggil, merinding," she said after the race, translating to "I'm so happy this morning to see the extraordinary euphoria and extraordinary spirit. Our spirits were high, people were calling out, it gave me goosebumps."

Despite the event's festive atmosphere, Naibaho emphasized her commitment to a serious performance. She aimed to set an example for younger athletes and those new to running, demonstrating the professionalism expected of an elite athlete. "It's a matter of pride, a professional athlete shouldn't be playing around. So, moreover, this is a people's festival and I want to educate young athletes, young enthusiasts who are new to running so they can see, oh, this is how real runners compete. So we ran seriously," she explained.

The Merdeka Run served as a vital preparation and tryout for Naibaho ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. She is focusing solely on the marathon, her specialty, rather than competing in multiple events as she did at the SEA Games. Naibaho acknowledges the intense competition at the Asian Games, particularly from athletes from Japan and China, as well as those who have been naturalized by other countries. She anticipates finishing in the top eight to ten, recognizing that medal opportunities are challenging due to factors like experience and training volume.

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It's a matter of pride, a professional athlete shouldn't be playing around. So, moreover, this is a people's festival and I want to educate young athletes, young enthusiasts who are new to running so they can see, oh, this is how real runners compete. So we ran seriously.