Prabowo-Backed Merdeka Run 2026 Draws 12,000 Participants, Minister Praises Enthusiasm

Jakarta buzzed with energy on Saturday as thousands participated in the Merdeka Run 2026, an event celebrating the 81st anniversary of Indonesia's Independence. The run saw an impressive turnout of 12,000 participants, significantly exceeding the initial target of 8,000, highlighting a strong public engagement with fitness and national celebration.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Erick Thohir, expressed his profound pride and emotion at the overwhelming response. "Happy, proud, moved. This year's Merdeka Run was extraordinarily successful. The participants, who were initially eight thousand, became twelve thousand. The participants received medals," Thohir stated near the National Monument (Monas).

Thohir also extended his gratitude to President Prabowo Subianto for his full support of the event. The participants were further enthralled by aerial displays, including fighter jets, a drone show, and parachute jumps. The Minister lauded the public's increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining physical fitness through running, calling it an "investment in the future, which is health."

Beyond the general public, the Merdeka Run served as a crucial preparatory event for national track and field athletes. Both male and female runners gearing up for upcoming international competitions, including the 2026 Asian Games, used the run as a vital try-out. "We invited national male and female athletes who will compete in the 2026 Asian Games and/or others to start preparing themselves, because the Asian Games are only a few weeks away," Thohir explained. He also acknowledged the presence of public figures and running enthusiasts like Gisella Anastasia and Fanny Ghasani, noting that many attendees were genuine runners, not just casual participants.