Erick Thohir, Prasetyo Hadi, and Teddy Release 12,000 Runners at Merdeka Run 2026

Around 12,000 runners filled the area around Merdeka Palace in Jakarta to take part in the Merdeka Run 2026 on Saturday (29/8/2026). Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya released the participants at exactly 06.00 WIB. The 8-kilometre run formed part of, and concluded, the Independence Month series of events commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. The route started from in front of Merdeka Palace, passing along Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jalan MH Thamrin, the HI Roundabout, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Dukuh Atas, before returning to Merdeka Palace. The event was opened in several categories, namely general, family, master, and wheelchair.