Challenging Oneself in Harmony with Nature

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At the Borobudur Marathon 2018, around 10,000 runners faced the ultimate challenge. Stricter rules were applied not only to improve the event’s quality but also to maintain harmony with nature and locals.

Aprilia Suhartiningsih, 30, walked slowly at the 21.1-kilometer point in the Borobudur Marathon Powered by Bank Jateng in Magelang regency, Central Java, on Sunday (18/11/2018) morning. Together with two other runners, she was not allowed by the organizers to continue her run in the full marathon category and had to pull out of the race. They failed to get past the cut-off point (COP) before the predetermined time limit.

The full marathon category had two COPs, namely a the 21.1-km point (that should be reached in four hours from the start line) and the 35-km point (should be reached in six hours). The COP in the half marathon is at the 15-km point (should be reached in three hours).

Aprilia said she accepted the organizers’ decision to pull her out. “I did not train myself enough. I realize this is my own shortcoming,” said the Yogyakarta-based runner.

For her, the COP rule -- which is implemented for the first time in this year’s Borobudur Marathon -- is good, in that it challenges runners to give their best. However, in order to follow the rule, runners are required to practice more. “Next year, I will join [in the run] again, but I will need to practice more before that,” said Aprilia, adding that this was her first time participating in the marathon.

Apart from the COP rule, the Borobudur Marathon also implemented a cut-off time (COT) rule. The COTs are seven hours for full marathon, four hours for half marathon and two hours for 10K. The COT rules were implemented in previous years.

Borobudur Marathon 2018 race director Andreas Kansil said the stricter rules would help maintain runners’ health. Running too long can pose risks to the human body.

Furthermore, the rule is also a form of respect for locals. Their warm welcome for runners all along the route should not be responded by the event limiting their movement and closing down local roads for too long. The run took place on public places and everyone, even

travelers coming from faraway cities, has the right to use them. This is harmony in its truest form.

Wanurejo villager Sodikin, 45, said that he did not mind that the village’s roads were closed for a while for the run. Locals had agreed to support the event by cheering for the runners and performing local traditions. However, he said that road closures should not be too long. “Well, we still have to work,” he said.

Pride

Despite the marathon’s increased challenge through the COP and COT rules, many runners remained enthusiastic throughout the event. Samarinda-based runner Agung Irfandi, 37, said that the rules indirectly encouraged runners to continuously push themselves.

“As casual runners, we do not participate in the marathon to seek victories. We just want to reach the finish line as it is a source of pride. Because of the COP and COT rules, reaching the finish line becomes more joyful,” said Agung, who participated in the full marathon.

Half-marathon runner Bonaventura, 32, said that this was his first run with a COP rule. At first, he said that he thought it would be difficult for him to fullfil the time limit. However, during the run, he said that he felt challenged by the other runners.

“The time limit rule is really great. This way, runners don’t just run as they like. Indirectly, this improved the quality of Borobudur Marathon participants. Only runners with tested skills can finish the run,” Bonaventura said.

This year, a blue line is put up along the marathon’s route to show runners the fastest and most efficient route.

Borobudur Marathon 2018 participant from Samarinda, Nurhadianto Herry Wibowo, 40, said that he always followed the blue line during the race. “As a result, my race result is highly precise. My run’s time is then internationally recognized. This is an important asset if I wish to join international runs,” he said.

West Sumatra-based running athlete Hamdan Syafril Sayuti, 29, said that the blue line did not necessarily make runners ran faster or reached the finish line sooner. However, the blue line was highly beneficial for runners to better maneuver during the run. “The [blue line] was quite useful,” he siad.

After all, the Borobudur Marathon was still a race. A majority of runners might not participate in it to win trophies but to learn self-control. In participating in the Borobudur Marathon, runners challenge themselves in harmony with nature and other people. Thus, everybody wins. (HARIS FIRDAUS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH/GREGORIUS M FINESSO)

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borobudur marathon 2018