Jakarta. Over 5,000 people ran at the 2024 Astra Half Marathon in Astra Biz Center at the Bumi Serpong Damai area in Tangerang over the weekend.

Participants completed various categories: half marathon, 10K, and 5K in an event that took place to commemorate National Heroes Day.

The organizers invited participants to “run with happiness” as they became part of the plastic pollution solution. Astra Runners always have the message of “we run, we care, we share” as they try to invite more people to be environmentally aware.

“We want to encourage people to embrace a healthy lifestyle and also care for the environment. We invite people to reuse the things that they have bought while reducing the single-use plastic and recycling so it will not lead to new waste,” Astra corporate communications head Boy Kelana Soebroto said.

Some of the money will go to donations for the single-use plastic recycling program. This initiative is in partnership with the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the company’s philanthropic organization Yayasan Dharma Bhakti Astra (YDBA).

The 2024 Astra Half Marathon also coincided with the 11th anniversary of Astra Runners -- a running community comprising over 2,000 members, all are employees from companies under Astra Group. The running campaign aligns with the Astra 2030 Sustainability Aspirations and also the government’s targets of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).

National marathon athlete Agus Prayogo was among the participants at the event.

“This is amazing! Astra Half Marathon encourages people to work out. Running has become a lifestyle. After a post-Asian Games injury, I’m back running this morning. I hope this can prepare us for the 2024 SEA Games,” Agus said.

Prominent figures and celebrities also joined the running event including Dion Wiyoko, Daffa Wardhana, Ardit Erwandha, Marsha Aruan, Kelly Tandiono, Shenina Cinnamon, Tarra Budiman, Jourdy Pranata, DJ Yasmin, and Bunga Citra Lestari.