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Borobudur Marathon 2019 seeks to become major
The Borobudur Marathon is shooting for the stars as organizers treat the 2019 race as an exercise in being included in the world marathon majors
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span>The Borobudur Marathon is shooting for the stars as organizers treat the 2019 race as an exercise in being included in the world marathon majors.
In the third hosting, which will be run on Nov. 17, the Borobudur Marathon has applied a ballot entry to provide fair treatment for participants given the intense enthusiasm.
During the registration window between May 1 and 30 on its official website, borobudurmarathon.com, the organizers have said they received 17,029 registers.
The organizers will sort them down to 8,000 for the official slots for the race, which will encompass the beauty of Borobudur Temple, paddy fields and a bamboo forest among its scenic attractions.
The deputy chief of Kompas daily, Budiman Tanuredjo, said the organizers would announce the 8,000 runners via email on June 19-25, including further information on payment.
“Those who are not selected through ballot entry will still be able to join the race by registering via the Borobudur Marathon’s official travel agents,” he added.
The Borobudur Marathon is an event held by the Central Java administration and is supported by Kompas and Bank Jateng.
Regarding the plan to be among the world marathon majors, Budiman said the organizers were making preparations.
“Among the requirements are the ballot entry, a standardized size for the road — which is 24 meters wide, as well as hospitality,” Budiman told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the press event.
The Borobudur Marathon has yet to be able to fulfill the standardized road size, especially when the route passes residential areas. However, in hospitality, the race has started to build a unique approach by encouraging local people to set up homestays.
Budiman went on to say that the feasible timeframe for getting the race listed as a major would be in 2022, at the soonest.
“We’re on a five-year contract for the current route. We have to make some adjustments in the route because a marathon major also requires 20,000 participants.
“The Borobudur Temple is a sacred heritage site. The complex’s maximum capacity to accommodate visitors is 11,000 — we’ll certainly need an alternate route for the major,” he added.
Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo hoped the Borobudur Marathon could transform into an interesting brand for the region, aiming to host more international events in the future to boost the local economy.
“The Borobudur Marathon is indeed an annual event, but it has become a gateway for many things. For example, from the Tour de Borobudur cycling race to various international music concerts — Westlife is among them — and religious visits,” said Ganjar.
He went on to encourage local people to be hosts in their own area by providing proper hospitality for Borobudur-related event visitors.
“So, house owners should not worry if they build extra rooms because we will always have events in the future,” added Ganjar.
