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Jakarta runners keep hobby alive against all odds

For most residents of Jakarta, a city in perpetual gridlock, commuting by foot would be a no-brainer if not for the uneven sidewalks and heavily polluted air

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Sat, February 17, 2018

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Jakarta runners keep hobby alive against all odds

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or most residents of Jakarta, a city in perpetual gridlock, commuting by foot would be a no-brainer if not for the uneven sidewalks and heavily polluted air.

Despite the fast-paced nature of work in Indonesia’s city that never sleeps, running communities, including JakB Runners, have flourished.

Established in May 2014, JakB Runners was formed by several West Jakarta residents who shared the same interest in running after a hard day’s work, or even before.

JakB Runners spokesperson Fransisco Samosir said those living outside of West Jakarta were attracted to the group, which now has more than 50 members from across the city.

While mainly focused on running, JakB Runners also branches out into other sports, such as cycling and triathlon, depending on individual preferences.

The group meets twice a week — on Monday nights for core training in Epiwalk, South Jakarta, and on Saturdays at Gelora Bung Karno for morning runs. On Sundays, members complete assigned tasks — sets of self-imposed training goals that were previously agreed upon.

Fransisco explained that the community boasted a team of coaches who provided a free personalized training regime for each individual member based on their own goals and health.

The community also often meets up for runs at Soemantri Brodjonegoro Stadium in Kuningan, South Jakarta, because of its well-lit, well-maintained track, which provides an ample amount of space for training, day or night.

To keep things interesting, JakB Runners occasionally hold runs on public roads. However, runners have a tough time planning their route on Jakarta’s roads.

Armanto Idham Hadju, a member of several running communities, said runners were constantly bombarded with pollution on top of unruly motorists.

“I once decided to run to my office through Radio Dalam, and a motorcyclist got angry at me for being in the way, even though I was using the sidewalk,” recounted the 52-year-old, adding that weekends were more forgiving since there were less vehicles on the road.

In August, the Jakarta administration introduced Bulan Patuh Trotoar (Orderly Sidewalk Month) to deal with motorists and street vendors who encroached sidewalks. Nearly 5,000 violations were recorded by the second week of the program.

According to a survey released by the Indonesian Association of Planners (IAP), Jakarta is considered an “average tier city” in terms of livability, with only 10 percent of its sidewalks deemed adequate for walking on.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency showed that, in 2013, Jakarta only had 540 kilometers of sidewalk, a fraction of the capital’s nearly 7,000 kilometers of road.

Fransisco said that JakB Runners emphasized self-preservation when venturing out onto the road through safety training.

“It’s unfortunate but incidents do happen. When out on the road, we make sure to observe the traffic signs, and we always go out in groups,” said Fransisco, referring to a recent hit-and-run incident on Jl. Gatot Subroto that resulted in the death of a cyclist as a grim reminder of the dangers of navigating the city’s streets.

Ultimately, JakB Runners as a community thrives due its sense of camaraderie, kept alive by a love for running and meaningful friendships.

“Our members come from all walks of life, from university students to housewives. We want to build a sense of community, and if they want to achieve different goals or like different things, then it’s totally fine. If you don’t attend a [community] event because you don’t have the time or just don’t feel like going, it’s OK. We don’t judge.” (jlm)

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