Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Welcomes Geopark Run Series as Host
Not only running, we are also developing other sport tourism activities such as downhill cycling and the international Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen cycling event held in the Geopark Ijen area. Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani welcomed Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, as the host of sport tourism and Geopark Ijen as the starting point for the Geopark Run Series 2026/2027.
‘Respects to the Minister of Tourism’s trust; of course this event provides an opportunity for Banyuwangi to further introduce the potential of sport tourism and the natural wealth of the region to a wider audience,’ said Regent Ipuk in a statement from Banyuwangi on Friday.
She noted that Banyuwangi has a long history of organising tourism-based sporting events, with several sport tourism events routinely held in the easternmost district of Java, ranging from international cycling races to running events, including Ijen Gren Trail Run 2025.
The development of sports tourism, she added, is also being pursued at various Geopark Ijen sites, including Alas Purwo National Park.
Events such as the Duathlon Alas Purwo, Alas Purwo Jungle Run, and Alas Purwo Geopark Green Run have been staged in the area.
‘There are not only running events; we are also developing other sport tourism activities such as downhill cycling and the international Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen cycling race held in the Geopark Ijen area,’ Ipuk said.
In a written statement, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana launched the Geopark Run Series for 2026/2027, which was attended by Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani in Jakarta on Friday (22/5).
Minister Widiyanti said the Geopark Run Series is a national, even international, sports tourism programme that highlights Indonesia’s geopark destinations through running.
‘This initiative represents a strategic step to strengthen the development of sport tourism in Indonesia,’ she said.
According to Tourism Minister Widiyanto, the Geopark Run Series concept integrates running with geopark destination promotion and the empowerment of local communities through the creative economy and tourism.
‘Sport tourism is one of Indonesia’s sectors with great potential; in addition to boosting tourist numbers, the series also extends visitor stays and drives local economic growth through accommodation, food and the MSME sector,’ she said.
Info gathered indicates that besides Banyuwangi, the national sport tourism series will also take place in Minang, Ciletuh, and Belitong. Banyuwangi will host the opening leg of the Geopark Run Series 2026/2027 with the Ijen Geopark Run scheduled for 23 August 2026.
Participant registration for Geopark Run Series 2026/2027 opens from 22 May to 19 July 2026, with race pack collection (RPC) on 21-22 August and race day on 23 August 2026 in Banyuwangi.
From Banyuwangi, the series continues to Minang Geopark Run (Race Day 1 November), Ciletuh Geopark Run (Race Day 17 January 2027), and Belitong Geopark Run (Race Day 18 April).