Traffic engineering during Merdeka Run 2026 in Jakarta

The Traffic Directorate of Polda Metro Jaya is implementing traffic engineering by closing 12 roads in the Central Jakarta area to support the smooth running of the Merdeka Run 2026 event on Saturday (29/8).

Director of Traffic at Polda Metro Jaya, Senior Commissioner Firman Darmansyah, said the road closures and traffic diversions were being carried out to ensure the safety of running participants and to maintain orderly mobility for the public in the Jakarta area.

“The closure and diversion of traffic flow around the event route will begin at 4am until 8am WIB. We urge road users to anticipate this closure by making use of the alternative routes that have been prepared,” Firman said in Jakarta on Friday.

He said the Merdeka Run 2026 series of activities would take place from 2am WIB until completion, with the start and finish points centred in the National Monument (Monas) area.

The closed roads include Jalan Majapahit, Jalan Veteran III, Jalan Budi Kemuliaan, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Jalan Kebon Sirih, Jalan KH Wahid Hasyim, Jalan M. Mashabi, Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jalan Teluk Betung, Jalan Kota Bumi, Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara.

Alternative routes have been prepared: Route 1 via Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said-Jalan HOS Cokroaminoto-Tugu Tani; Route 2 via Jalan K.H. Mas Mansyur-Jalan Cideng Barat-Simpang Harmoni; and Route 3 (from Tomang direction) via Jalan Tomang Raya-Simpang Harmoni.

“Officers are on standby in the field and route guidance banners have been installed at various points. We apologise for the inconvenience to residents’ mobility and hope all road users comply with officers’ directions for the sake of shared safety and smooth traffic flow,” Firman said.

Previously, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) confirmed that more than 10,000 runners would take part in the Merdeka Run 2026 event in Jakarta on Saturday (29/8).

“Tomorrow there will be more than 10,000 runners, I can say more than 10,000 participants who will take part in this Merdeka Run 2026,” said Deputy for Sports Industry Development at Kemenpora, Teuku Arlan Perkasa Lukman, in Jakarta on Friday.

The Merdeka Run 2026 will begin at 5am WIB. Runners will cover a distance of 8 kilometres with the starting point in front of the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta.

Arlan said the event had been met with high enthusiasm from the public. On the first day of race pack collection, he said, attendance reached up to 50 per cent.

Various supporting facilities for the event have also been prepared, including a race village called Kampung Merdeka, which includes prayer facilities for participants who wish to perform their prayers.