Participants are taking on a 180-kilometer route from Jakarta to Bandung, with the finish line at ITB's Ganesha Campus on Sunday (October 18, 2026). Along the route, the event also carries a social mission through various community service programs, including initiatives to improve access to clean water and waste management.

Strengthening Collaboration Among Universities, Alumni, and Government
The flag-off ceremony at the Kemendiktisaintek building reflected the government's support for collaboration among higher education institutions, alumni, and government agencies.

Director General of Research and Development at Kemendiktisaintek, Fauzan Adziman, emphasized the importance of perseverance and advancing research that can address the nation's challenges.

He noted that the event not only strengthens connections among alumni but also creates opportunities for universities to make meaningful contributions to society.

"This is a form of downstream implementation of university research, where we engage directly with alumni to help the wider community and contribute to Indonesia's progress," he said.

According to Fauzan, this spirit aligns with ongoing efforts to encourage universities to translate research findings into practical applications that deliver broader benefits.

"I hope all participants will always prioritize safety throughout their journey to Bandung," he added.

More Than Just Running: Supporting the ITB Endowment Fund

ITB Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., stated that the ITB Ultra Marathon has evolved into a collective movement connecting sports, social responsibility, and support for sustainable education.

He emphasized that the event plays an important role in supporting the ITB Endowment Fund, which is used, among other purposes, to provide scholarships and educational financial assistance.

"For several years, this event has served as a fundraising platform for the ITB Endowment Fund. Last year, more than IDR 2 billion was raised from thousands of donors, including not only alumni but also students' parents and teachers from various regions. They recognize that we are raising funds for educational scholarships because education is a shared responsibility," he said.

He explained that the ITB Ultra Marathon, which initially began as a sporting activity within ITB's Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD), has now grown into an event involving alumni, the academic community, and the wider public.

"It's not just about running, but also about making an impact. It's like a reunion lasting two days and two nights, crossing two provinces, and bringing twofold benefits. This year, along the running route, we are also carrying out community service initiatives, such as providing clean water facilities and installing waste management systems that help stimulate local economic activities," he said.

Strong Enthusiasm: 5,216 Runners Across Generations

Chairperson of the ITB Ultra Marathon 2026 Organizing Committee, Aleks Suhanto, revealed that this year's participation exceeded the initial target of 4,000 runners. A total of 5,216 participants registered for the event, representing a wide range of age groups.

Interestingly, the event also features families participating across as many as three generations. The youngest participants are approximately 16–17 years old, while more than 500 runners are between 60 and 70 years old.

Given this diversity, the organizing committee has placed particular emphasis on participants' health and safety. One of the measures includes collaboration with AMP Unpad to help monitor runners' health conditions throughout the event.

In addition, the committee has introduced live-tracking technology through a digital map, allowing runners' locations to be monitored in real time. This technology is expected to improve coordination and enable faster responses in emergency situations.

The committee has also coordinated with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and local authorities to ensure participants' safety along the route.

Delivering Benefits to Communities Along the Route

Beyond focusing on the runners, the ITB Ultra Marathon 2026 also brings social initiatives to communities along the Jakarta–Bandung route.

One of these initiatives involves installing clean water filtration facilities. By the time the event began, the organizing committee had installed three facilities, with a total target of five locations.

The program is part of an effort to provide lasting benefits for local communities, even after the event concludes. In addition to improving access to clean water, the initiative also promotes waste management practices that have the potential to support local economic activities.

This spirit of collaboration also received appreciation from the Chairperson of the ITB Alumni Association (IA-ITB), Agustin Peranginangin. He highlighted the growing diversity of participants, including ITB alumni, members of other universities, and representatives from various companies.

"This sense of togetherness has already been established. Now is the time to take it further. We, the Alumni Association, are actively involved in supporting the Rector in advancing ITB. All alumni are working together to bring in external resources and opportunities, including research collaborations, to sustainably support the ITB Endowment Fund," he said.

According to Agustin, the connections fostered through the ITB Ultra Marathon are expected to develop into long-term collaborations, particularly in supporting research development and the ITB Endowment Fund.

Through the ITB Ultra Marathon 2026, the shared commitment among alumni, the academic community, government, and society is expected to continue growing into a movement that creates lasting impact. Beyond supporting education, the event also demonstrates how collective action can deliver tangible benefits to communities along the running route.