2,800 Runners Join Volcano Run 2020 in Mount Merapi Area, Sleman

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 2,800 people participated in the Second Volcano Run 2020 marathon event held at Mount Merapi Museum (MGM) area in Pakem, Sleman District, Yogyakarta, on Sunday.

"This year, the number of Volcano Run participants increases by 10 percent compared to that of the previous year. In 2019, there were 2,506 participants, and in 2020, there are 2,800 people coming from various cities across Indonesia and several foreign runners," Head of the Volcano Run 2020 Committee Sentanu Wahyudi said here on Sunday.

The Volcano Run 2020 comprised three categories, namely 5K - family fun run, 10K race, and 21K - half marathon.

This year's route was similar to last year's route which explored the slopes of Mount Merapi surroundings.

The participants were indulged with the scenery of Mount Merapi while passing several villages where they could enjoy local wisdom, traditions, and arts performances displayed by local communities.

To highlight the race, a bazaar was organized by presenting various traditional culinary delights from the communities around Mount Merapi area.

Sleman District Head Sri Purnomo flagged off the marathon race at the start line, while it was drizzle in the morning.

Mount Merapi, located in the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta, rises to 2,911 metres and has steep slopes with dense vegetation on its lower flanks. It is the most active of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes.

ANTARA