12,000 Participants Join Merdeka Run This Morning

State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, together with Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, flagged off around 12,000 participants of the Merdeka Run 2026 in front of the Merdeka Palace on Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta, on Saturday (29/8/2026) morning.

The opening of the running event, held to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, began with the singing of the national anthem Indonesia Raya accompanied by the raising of the Red and White flag in the grounds of the Merdeka Palace.

Afterwards, three F-16 aircraft flew over the National Monument (Monas) as a signal that the running event was about to begin. The start flag was raised by the State Secretary Minister, the Youth and Sports Minister, and the Cabinet Secretary at exactly 06.00 Western Indonesia Time.

The Merdeka Run was organised as the closing event of the 2026 Independence Month series of activities. Several categories were offered, namely general, family, masters, and wheelchair.

The Merdeka Run 2026 covered a route of 8 kilometres, with the starting point in front of the Merdeka Palace – Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat – Jalan MH Thamrin, the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman – Dukuh Atas – and back towards the Merdeka Palace.

A number of public figures also took part in the running event, including artist and Special Presidential Envoy for Youth Development and Arts Workers Raffi Ahmad, singer Gisella Anastasia, actress Fanny Ghassani, Indonesian national football team coach John Herdman, and Indonesian national football team player Ivar Jenner.

Several road sections were also temporarily closed to support the event, from around 04.00 to 07.30 Western Indonesia Time. The Merdeka Run 2026 was also enlivened by performances from Wali Band and Moluccan Soul, dozens of MSMEs offering various products, and various attractive door prizes.