Jakarta. Jakarta once again took center stage in the international running scene as the BTN Jakarta International Marathon (BTN JAKIM) 2026 officially kicked off with the BSN 5K and EJ SPORT 10K races at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) sports complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday.

Thousands of runners gathered at the starting line from the early hours of the morning, highlighting the growing popularity of one of Indonesia’s largest running events. The excitement was evident as participants from across the country filled the East Parking Plaza area of GBK ahead of the races.

The 5K and 10K categories opened the BTN JAKIM 2026 series ahead of the Le Minerale Half Marathon and BTN Marathon, which are scheduled to take place on Sunday.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung, who attended the event to flag off participants, expressed appreciation to all runners taking part in the marathon. He said the event continues to show significant improvement each year.

“To all runners participating in the 5K and 10K categories, enjoy Jakarta International Marathon 2026. I believe this year’s organization is even better than last year,” Pramono said.

Organized by the Jakarta Provincial Government in collaboration with PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk, BTN JAKIM has continued to attract increasing participation. This year’s edition features more than 45,000 runners, including 1,012 international participants representing 52 countries.

The strong turnout from both domestic and international runners further strengthens Jakarta’s position as a host city for world-class sporting events. Beyond competition, BTN JAKIM also offers participants the opportunity to run past several of Jakarta’s iconic landmarks, including the National Monument (Monas) and the Gelora Bung Karno complex.

President Director of PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk, Nixon L.P. Napitupulu, said BTN is proud to once again support the event, which promotes not only sportsmanship but also a healthier lifestyle for the community.

“Healthy greetings to all participants of BTN Jakarta International Marathon 2026. BTN is proud to once again be part of an event that not only celebrates the spirit of sports, but also encourages people to live healthier and more active lifestyles,” Nixon said.

According to Nixon, sports are a long-term investment that play an important role in improving people’s quality of life. BTN therefore remains committed to supporting events that inspire communities to stay active and maintain their health.

He added that BTN’s participation in BTN JAKIM is also part of the company’s commitment to providing greater convenience through digital innovation, including the balé by BTN application, which participants can use throughout the event series.

Since its launch in 2023, BTN Jakarta International Marathon has grown into one of Indonesia’s premier sporting events. In addition to the BTN Marathon, Le Minerale Half Marathon, and EJ SPORT 10K, organizers also introduced the BSN 5K category to encourage broader public participation and allow more people to experience the atmosphere of an international marathon.

This year, organizers adopted the 4S concept — Sterile, Secure, Safety, and Smooth — to ensure all participants enjoy a safe, comfortable, and high-quality running experience. Through this concept, BTN JAKIM 2026 is expected to become not only a competitive sporting event, but also a momentum to strengthen healthy living culture while supporting Jakarta’s tourism and economy.