GIANYAR, BALINEWS.ID – Gianyar Regency reached a new milestone in tourism development as the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) BPC Gianyar, supported by the Ubud Hotels Association (UHA), successfully staged Ubud Run Day 2025, a large-scale sporting event designed to strengthen Gianyar’s position as a leading sport tourism destination.
Held at the Mediterranean Bali Campus in Singakerta, the event marked the first major sports initiative fully initiated by PHRI BPC Gianyar. Serving as a year-end celebration, Ubud Run Day symbolized renewed optimism for Gianyar’s tourism sector, promoting a lifestyle that is healthy, sustainable, and culturally rooted as the region prepares to welcome the new year.
Thousands of runners gathered from early morning to take part in the event. The 10K race officially started at 05:30 WITA, followed by the 5K category at 06:00 WITA. The routes offered participants a unique experience, combining Ubud’s cool natural scenery with vibrant local culture.
Balinese traditions enriched the race atmosphere along the course. Runners were sent off to the energetic sounds of Baleganjur performed by students of SD 6 Singakerta. As they passed through the Monkey Forest area, Barong and Celuluk performances greeted participants, while contemporary music in the Penestanan area motivated runners tackling the challenging uphill sections. This fusion of sport and culture created an immersive experience rarely found in conventional running events.
Celebrating Sporting Excellence
Ubud Run Day 2025 delivered competitive yet friendly races across all categories. Winners demonstrated outstanding endurance on Ubud’s demanding terrain.
-In the 10K Male category, Mekri claimed first place, followed by Sardianus and Agus Satriawan. The 10K Female category was led by Ketut Cita, with Septiana and Dita securing second and third places.
– For the 5K race, Amram Nafli emerged victorious in the Male category, ahead of Evan and Fredy, while Desi topped the Female category, followed by Karlina and Intan.
Empowering the Local Community
Beyond competition, the event emphasized community involvement and local economic empowerment. Culinary booths operated by MSMEs from Singakerta Village were featured through a Guarantee Buying system, ensuring all products were sold out and providing direct economic benefits to local traders.
Post-race activities added to the festive atmosphere. A Mass Zumba session at 07:00 WITA energized thousands of participants, followed by a touching performance by the Bakti Senang Hati Foundation at 07:45 WITA, delivering a powerful message of inclusivity and hope under the theme Run for Hope.
Chairman of PHRI BPC Gianyar, I Gede Paskara Karilo, stated that the success of Ubud Run Day 2025 is only the beginning. He expressed hope that sport tourism will become a key pillar of Gianyar’s tourism development, inspiring stakeholders to continue innovating and building a more resilient and sustainable tourism industry in the years ahead.
About PHRI BPC Gianyar
PHRI BPC Gianyar represents hotel and restaurant entrepreneurs across Gianyar Regency, dedicated to advancing tourism through advocacy, promotion, and service excellence grounded in Balinese cultural values. (*)
