Jakarta Running Festival 2026 draws 37,000 runners from 48 countries

Thirty-seven thousand runners from 48 countries participated in the Jakarta Running Festival 2026, which featured races flagged off by officials including Pramono, according to detikNews. The international marathon event required extensive logistical coordination across the Indonesian capital, prompting municipal authorities to implement targeted weather modification and transit rerouting.

To support the influx of participants, public transit provider Transjakarta offered free services for registered runners on October 24 and 25.

Weather Modification Operations Target Heat and Air Pollution

Ahead of the weekend events, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), alongside the Jakarta Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), carried out weather modification operations from October 21 to 25. According to BMKG’s official press release, the intervention aimed to reduce air pollution and high temperatures that could affect participants and spectators during the city-sponsored festival.

BMKG Deputy for Weather Modification Tri Handoko Seto stated that cloud seeding operations utilized 4,000 kilograms of sodium chloride (NaCl) across four flight sorties up to October 23. Operations director Budi Harsoyo noted that humid local atmospheric conditions and convective air masses supported successful rainfall induction over parts of South Jakarta and East Jakarta. On October 23, two cloud seeding sorties were conducted at an altitude of 10,000 to 11,000 feet (3,048 to 3,352.8 meters).

Public Transit Adjustments Shape Weekend Commuter Travel

Transjakarta adjusted operating hours for numerous routes during the two-day festival to manage street closures along the marathon route. Corridor 1 (Blok M-Kota) and Corridor 9 (Pinang Ranti-Pluit) were rerouted via the Inner City Toll Road during the early morning hours, bypassing several central stations, including the National Monument and ASEAN. During the early morning diversions, services on Corridor 1 included Kota Bambu, Kemanggisan, Pancoran on the westbound lane, Tegal Mampang, Rawa Barat, and Pasar Santa. Meanwhile, Corridor 9 services toward Pluit omitted stops from Simpang Kuningan to Petamburan, and eastbound buses toward Pinang Ranti skipped stops from Petamburan to Tegal Parang. On Sunday, Corridor 2 from Pulo Gadung to Monas temporarily bypassed Monas, City Hall, and Gambir 2, while Corridor 3 from Kalideres to Monas via Veteran was rerouted through Pecenongan and Juanda while skipping Monas, and Corridor 6 from Ragunan to Galunggung bypassed stops from the Kuningan Underpass to Setiabudi Integritas.

Ayu Wardhani, Head of Public Relations and CSR at Transjakarta, urged general commuters to review the temporary schedule changes. Services on multiple feeder and trunk routes started as late as 09:00 or 10:00 WIB on Saturday and Sunday mornings to keep race paths clear while maintaining alternative transit options. Additional routes experiencing early-morning adjustments included 1B, 1F, 1P, 6A, 6B, 8N, 9C, 9D, 1H, 1R, 2Q, 3F, 4C, 4D, 6C, 6K, 6M, 6V, 9E, and 10H, with Transjakarta confirming all corridors would resume normal operations once the festival concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jakarta Running Festival 2026 Logisitics

How many runners participated in the Jakarta Running Festival 2026?

According to Kompas.com, 37,000 runners from 48 countries took part in the event.

What measures were taken to manage Jakarta air quality during the race?

The BMKG and BPBD executed weather modification operations between October 21 and 25, dispersing 4,000 kg of salt across four flight sorties to induce rain that would clear particulate pollutants from the atmosphere.

How did public transportation accommodate festival participants?

Transjakarta provided free rides for participants of the Jakarta Running Festival 2026 who showed their bib numbers, while shifting operating hours and rerouting buses around the race course on October 24 and 25.