Runners: Geopark Run schedule for Ijen, Bukittinggi, Ciletuh, and Belitung – running while enjoying the scenery

Runners, sign up now: Geopark Run Series will be held across four of Indonesia’s premier geoparks: Geopark Ijen, Minangkabau Geopark, Geopark Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu, and Belitong Geopark. This is the schedule for Geopark Run Series editions 2026–2027.

The series will commence with the Ijen Geopark Run on 23 August 2026 in the Ijen Geopark area and Banyuwangi, East Java. Next, the Minangkabau Geopark Run will take place on 25 October 2026 around Jam Gadang in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra. The Ciletuh Geopark Run will be held on 17 January 2027 at Palangpang Beach, Sukabumi, West Java. The Belitong Geopark Run is scheduled for 18 April 2027 at Tanjung Kalayang Beach, Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands.

Organisers target up to 10,000 participants across the four events. There are 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km options, with medal cut-off times of 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 hours 30 minutes, and 4 hours, respectively. Tickets for each distance are Rp300,000, Rp350,000, and Rp400,000, with various early-bird discounts; schedules are available at geoparkrun.com.

‘The time limit is deliberately relaxed so participants can PB, or simply take many photos with the magnificent geopark backdrop, and because elevations can reach up to six [units] in West Sumatra, though Belitung has no elevation gain. The routes are not entirely road-based. We are guiding participants to explore the geoparks optimally during the event,’ said the Geopark Run Series Chief Organizer Ihsan Ramadhi Putra at a media briefing in Jakarta on Friday (22 May).

If runners register for all four events, Ihsan says the organisers will give a free one-series ticket. In addition, there is a special medal design for runners who complete all four runs of the series initiated by Gamatera and Beyond Run.

Tourism Minister (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that the Geopark Run Series is a niche tourism activity that integrates running, promotion of Indonesia’s geopark destinations, and empowerment of local communities. ‘Sports tourism has become a key pillar in the government’s quality tourism programme. According to UN Tourism data, sports tourism accounted for around 10% of global tourist spending in 2023 and is projected to grow to 17.5% in 2023–2030,’ said Widiyanti.

The minister noted Expedia surveys showing 44% of travellers would travel abroad to attend their favourite sports events. Sports tourists are renowned as high spenders, with average expenditures reaching about USD 1,500 per visit.

‘Its impact is not only to boost tourist movement but to extend visitor stay and stimulate local economies from accommodation, transport, and cuisine to local micro, small and medium enterprises around the destinations,’ Widiyanti added.

At each Geopark Run event, organisers will also involve SMEs to market food products and handicrafts. ‘Geopark Run is not merely a running event; it is a shared movement to bring people to see, feel, and ultimately help revitalise the local economy,’ Ihsan said. (X-6)

The Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark in Sukabumi Regency, West Java, has again been designated as UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Government of South Kalimantan Province is also committed to promoting the utilisation of Geopark Meratus as an inclusive and sustainable driver of the local economy.

Lestari Moerdijat, Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), said community awareness of local wisdom is a social capital for sustainable conservation actions.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has designated Poso Regency as a Geoheritage area under Ministerial Decree No. 265.K/GL.01/MEM.G/2025.

Upon arrival at H.A.S. Hanandjoeddin International Airport, Belitung Island, the first recommended destination is the Belitong Geopark Information Center.

The Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark in Sukabumi Regency was again designated as UNESCO Global Geopark.

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