Echoing A Healthy Lifestyle, Ipeka Arunika 5K Fun Run Followed By 1,000 Participants

JAKARTA IPEKA Balikpapan Christian School held IPEKA ARUNICA 5K FUN RUN, a 5 KM running event open to the general public, on Saturday, August 31, 2024. This event is full of meaning, because apart from inciting the spirit of togetherness and fitness, it is also part of the series of Open House events for the 25/26 IPEKA Balikpapan School, and the celebration of IPEKA's 45th Birthday (HUT).

The name ARUNICA, which means 'Adu Raga for Ika' or 'Playing for Unity', emphasizes the importance of togetherness and unity in every step of the participants. With the on-road route around Grand City Balikpapan, this event was attended by around 1,000 participants, both from the internal IPEKA and the general public, by starting and finishing at the IPEKA Christian School Balikpapan.

The head of IPEKA Christian High School in Balikpapan, Etti Hartiwi, said that IPEKA ARUNICA is a tangible manifestation of the school's commitment to contribute positively to the people of Balikpapan and its surroundings.

"This event is not only a sporting event, but also a means to strengthen relations between schools and the wider community, as well as an expression of gratitude for all the kindness that God has given during IPEKA's 45 years of travel. Through IPEKA ARUNICA, we want to instill the importance of awareness of a healthy lifestyle, happiness, and unity," said Etti.

In particular, IPEKA ARUNICA also invited the East Kalimantan Provincial Education Office and all junior high and high school students in Balikpapan to participate. Interestingly, this running event also invites participants who have special needs.

"Children with special needs have the same opportunities in terms of education and achievement. We want IPEKA ARUNICA to also be an arena for children with special needs to continue working and achieving, especially in the field of sports," Etti hoped as quoted from a media statement, Saturday, August 31.

IPEKA ARUNICA was initiated and prepared by the IPEKA Balikpapan School Intra Student Organization (OSIS) as well asvolunteers from students, teachers, and employees of the IPEKA Balikpapan Christian School. In its implementation, IPEKA ARUNICA collaborates with the Balikpapan IndoRunners running community, then also Grand City Balikpapan and the local police to ensure the smooth running of this event.

As for protecting runners, all IPEKA ARUNICA participants received insurance protection. In addition, ambulance units and medical personnel from the local hospital were also alerted to serve the runners' medical needs during the activity.

The chairman of the IPEKA ARUNICA Committee, Gilbert Kinben Rushen Tjioe, from the 12th grade of IPA 1, expressed his hope for this event. Through the spirit of Adu Raga for Ika or Competing to Unite, we invite all people, especially students in Balikpapan to unite in sports as well as compete and echo a healthy lifestyle," he said.

The ticket price for IPEKA ARUNIKA 5K Fun Run participants is IDR 80,000 per person. Each participant will get medals, water and refreshments, and have the opportunity to get a jersey for 100 top finishers, as well as attractive prizes for three winners from each category of men and women. Not only that, attractive doors prizes are also provided for IPEKA ARUNICA participants.

Apart from Fun Run, the event was also enlivened by various performances of IPEKA Balikpapan students from kindergarten to high school. The students performed dance, band, and ukulele music performances. The Open House event, which is part of a series of IPEKA ARUNICA activities, will be held on September 7, 2024 as a place to accept New Students for the 2025/2026 lesson year.