Minister Erick: BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026 to Drive Economy and Sport Tourism

Youth and Sports Minister (Menpora) Erick Thohir has expressed appreciation for the staging of the BTN Jakarta International Marathon (JAKIM) 2026, held on 13-14 June. He stated that the international-scale running event not only encourages the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle but also contributes to the development of the sports industry and the economy. JAKIM 2026 was attended by approximately 45,000 participants from various regions and abroad. The high number of participants is seen as reflecting the growing public interest in sport, particularly running, which has now evolved into a lifestyle choice. Erick assessed that hosting large-scale sporting events has a broad impact, including on the sport tourism sector. The presence of thousands of participants and supporters is believed to be capable of driving various economic sectors, from transport and hospitality to micro-enterprises and culinary businesses. ‘The BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026 is a positive step to encourage the Indonesian people to increasingly prioritise a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, this activity also serves as an economic driver through the development of sport tourism and the continuously growing sports industry,’ Erick said in a statement on Sunday (14/6/2026). According to Erick, the number of participants reaching tens of thousands is an indicator that sport now holds increasing social and economic value. He therefore hopes that similar events can continue to grow and become an increasingly prominent international sporting agenda. He cited several world marathon events that have established strong reputations, such as the Boston Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon. He believes Southeast Asia also has the opportunity to build a series of similar events through cooperation between countries in the region. ‘In the world, there are the Boston Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon, which have become international sports icons. Why don’t we in Southeast Asia have a similar series of events? Hopefully, in 2027 or 2028, Indonesia together with Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines can collaborate to organise an ASEAN regional marathon series,’ Erick said. The idea, he continued, aligns with the outcomes of the Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Youth and Sports (SEAMMYS) held in Bali in May 2026. During that meeting, Southeast Asian countries pushed for increased collaboration in hosting international sporting events and the exchange of information among sports stakeholders. Through regional cooperation, Erick hopes the capacity for hosting sporting events in the region can continue to improve. Besides strengthening connectivity among ASEAN countries, this step is also believed to support the growth of the tourism sector and the sports-based economy. The staging of the BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026 serves as an example of how sport can provide broader benefits to society. In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, the event also opens up economic opportunities and strengthens Jakarta’s position as a sports destination in the region.