Minister Erick Thohir Flags Off 8,000 Runners at BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026

Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir flagged off thousands of marathon category participants at the BTN Jakarta International Marathon (JAKIM) 2026 in the National Monument (Monas) area, Jakarta, on Sunday (14/6/2026). The annual running event again recorded a large number of participants. A total of 8,000 runners took part in the marathon or 42.195-kilometre category, making it one of the largest marathons by participation in Indonesia. JAKIM 2026 attracted not only domestic runners but also international interest. A total of 1,012 foreign runners took part in the race, with the largest international contingents coming from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. Organisers also brought in a number of world-class elite athletes to raise the competition’s quality, including Kenyan runner Truphena Chepchirchir, Ethiopian athlete Alemnesh Herpha, and Japanese runners Jane Mora and Kana Numata. Before the race began, Erick Thohir urged participants to prioritise their health and safety. ‘To all runners, I wish you a good run. Take care of your health and safety. The most important thing is to start and finish in a healthy and safe condition,’ Erick said. Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Rano Karno, who also attended the event, praised the organisation of JAKIM as part of the series of events marking Jakarta’s 499th anniversary. He also expressed gratitude to PT Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) for its consistent support of the sporting event. ‘We thank BTN for organising this running event as part of the Jakarta Anniversary series. Jakarta’s anniversary is commemorated on 22 June, while the peak celebration will be held on 27 June,’ Rano said. Several officials attended the flag-off, including Deputy Chairman of House Commission XI Fauzi Amro, Head of the SOE Investment Management Agency cum Chief Operating Officer of Danantara Doni Oskaria, BTN President Director Nixon L.P. Napitupulu, and PB PASI Deputy Chairman Tigor M. Tanjung. The BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026 is expected to encourage the public to be more active in sports while strengthening Jakarta’s position as a sport tourism destination capable of attracting participants and tourists from various countries.