For M’sian runners, Jakarta is as much about friendship as the finish line
Members of the Haze Runners Club recently travelled to the Indonesian capital for a weekend filled with big crowds and a very different running atmosphere.
JAKARTA: For many Malaysian runners, participating in international races like the Jakarta Running Festival (JRF) 2026 is about more than just personal achievements. It's the early-morning start, the camaraderie of running with thousands of strangers, and the chance to explore a new city. Nur Farhana Marzuki, a member of the Haze Runners Club, found the festival's atmosphere especially vibrant.
She noted the enthusiastic spectators and the way locals turned out to support the runners, a stark contrast to races back home. The four-day event, spanning from October 22 to 25, featured various categories including 5km, 10km, half-marathon, and full-marathon races, along with an expo and other community activities. The Haze Runners Club, with origins dating back to 2015, was formed out of necessity due to severe haze affecting Malaysia.
The club, led by Rosnita Hamzah, who is also the head of chancery at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta, has since grown into a community of runners who regularly participate in races both locally and internationally. The JRF's spectator-driven atmosphere, distinct from many races in Malaysia, is a key draw for the club's members.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- For M’sian runners, Jakarta is as much about friendship as the finish line freemalaysiatoday.com
