Turning Running into a Lifestyle

Running has become a popular trend among Indonesians, including in the city of Surakarta, or Solo. Public spaces like Manahan Stadium are crowded with hundreds of runners every morning and evening, numbers that swell even more on weekends.

During our observation on Saturday (2/8/2025), around a thousand Solo residents packed the Manahan Stadium area. Runners generally choose three main spots: the stadium, the velodrome, and the outdoor arena area.

Jogging, a relaxed form of running, is often done to maintain stamina and physical fitness. It has grown in popularity since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. The boom in fun run festivals across Indonesia has further fueled the public’s enthusiasm for running, and Bengawan City is no exception.

The rise of jogging as an urban sport is closely tied to the Covid-19 pandemic. Akhmad Azlan Khoirur Rozikin, S.Pd., M.Or., a Physical Education lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), said the pandemic has made people more aware of the importance of maintaining their health.

“The pandemic became a turning point for people to start exercising,” said Azlan, as he is familiarly called, when met on Thursday (8/8/2025). A 2023 survey by Kurious–Katadata Insight Center (KIC) revealed that 82.5 percent of respondents exercise to maintain their health.

Running can be done anywhere, from neighborhood streets to public sports facilities, unlike other sports that require special venues such as badminton, tennis, or soccer.

Azlan welcomed the growing popularity of jogging. In his view, it has become increasingly recognized as an easy-to-do sport because it can be done individually. “Many people still think of sports as games, like volleyball, football, and the like,” added the Central Java sprinter.

Jogging has also given rise to new running communities. Azlan considers these communities a positive outcome of jogging’s popularity. Data from Strava, an online fitness-tracking platform, shows that running communities in Indonesia grew by as much as 83 percent in 2024.

Unfortunately, over the past two years, jogging has begun to carry the impression of being an expensive lifestyle. This perception can be seen in the apparel worn by running enthusiasts, from branded running shirts to specialized running shoes priced in the millions of rupiahs.

Azlan observed that some runners seem to join the jogging trend merely to show off in public spaces. In reality, running doesn’t require expensive gear. “Running is an easy and affordable sport,” he stressed.

According to Azlan, there are several ways to enjoy jogging without spending too much. For example, wearing shirts or shorts already in your closet, rather than buying new ones from sports specialty stores. The key is comfort and functionality while running.

Wearing proper running shoes, however, is important to prevent injury, especially since most running surfaces, such as asphalt, are hard. Even so, expensive shoes are not necessary. “Your shoes don’t have to be brand A that costs millions. There are now plenty of more affordable options,” said Azlan.

Being an active athletics athlete for Central Java has made Azlan well-versed in the basics of running. He is also a coach at a specialized running school that has produced several accomplished runners. This running school also offers beginner classes.

Azlan shared that he often encounters running enthusiasts who regularly join fun runs but have yet to master the basic techniques of running. This becomes apparent when these hobbyists try out the beginner classes.

“Everyone can run. But the basics of running are important. It’s as if they’re only following the trend without knowing the fundamentals,” Azlan explained. He emphasized that it is crucial for beginner runners to learn proper running techniques. One of the key skills to master is running drills.

Running drills are a series of exercises designed to improve running technique, build muscle strength, enhance movement efficiency, and prevent injuries. There are many variations of running drills, including ankling, high knees, and butt kicks. “It’s to make sure your form both technique and posture, is correct first,” said Azan.

Ankling is a running movement that focuses on landing on the ball of the foot, located in the middle-front part of the sole. This exercise helps improve agility and strengthen the leg muscles.

High knees are performed by lifting the knees as high as possible toward the chest, usually done while running in place. Meanwhile, butt kicks are a running movement where the heels nearly touch the buttocks. This exercise is useful for strengthening the hamstring muscles.

Warming up before running is important to prevent injuries both before and during the run. Azlan noted that the running drills method is ideal for warming up.

The next stage is to start running for one lap. “While running, we can also work on improving the running form,” he added.

For beginner runners, Azlan advised not to push the body to run for too long at first. The goal is to get accustomed to light physical activity.

“You can use intervals, such as walking for 1 minute, running for 30 seconds, then walking for 1 minute. Repeat this for up to 10 minutes,” he explained.

In addition to practicing running drills, Azlan emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and maintaining proper nutrition before and during a run. Avoid eating heavy meals before running. This will ensure the run will be more comfortable.

Azlan said that building a running habit requires strong commitment. He pointed out that jogging doesn’t have to be done in a dedicated sports complex. “You can start running from home or around the neighborhood,” Azlan joked.

Regular jogging has great benefits for the body, including:

1. Maintaining heart health

Jogging is a cardio exercise that increases heart rate. Regular jogging helps train the heart’s strength. Being active in running can also help reduce fat and cholesterol that surround the heart and circulate in the blood.

2. Weight loss

Jogging is a physical activity that works the entire body. This exercise “breaks down” muscle fibers, prompting the body to use fat and protein to repair them. As a result, body weight will decrease.

3. Improving stamina and endurance

Jogging trains the strength of the leg muscles, heart, and respiratory system, helping maintain stamina and making the body more capable of handling daily routines.

4. Better and higher-quality sleep

Jogging makes the body feel tired. When done in the afternoon, it can help the body feel more fatigued and ready to fall asleep more easily.

5. Preventing osteoporosis and maintaining joint health

Regular jogging helps prevent inflammation in the knee joints. Running also strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis later in life.

Azlan believed the running trend will remain popular for a long time. In addition to the growing public awareness of the importance of maintaining health, this trend is supported by the increasing number of fun run events held across Indonesia.

In the city of Solo, for example, various fun run events are always packed with participants, from the Solo Run Fest with 4,500 runners, the Mangkunegaran Run with 5,500 runners, to the Soekarno Run SOC with 5,555 runners.

On a national scale, long-distance running events are just as appealing for pace hunters. These include the Yogyakarta Marathon with 9,200 runners, the Borobudur Run with 10,500 runners, and the Jakarta Marathon with 31,000 runners.

The large number of people participating in jogging events in Indonesia shows the strong enthusiasm for this sport. “I’m confident that running events like these will continue to attract interest for a long time,” Azlan asserted.

Writer: Gede Arga Adrian

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid

Editor: Al Habiib Josy Asheva