Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 Creates Rp58.9 Billion Economic Effect

PEKANBARU - Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 not only recorded success in terms of implementation, but also had a real impact on the local economy.

Based on the results of economic impact analysis conducted by the Riau Provincial Statistics Agency (BPS), the implementation of the event, which was attended by 15,080 runners, is estimated to generate a total economic effect of IDR 58.9 billion for Riau Province.

The estimate comes from the total spending of participants of around IDR 42.5 billion which was then analyzed using the Input-Output (IO) Table approach so as to show the chain effect on various local economic sectors.

Chairman of the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 Committee, Karorena Polda Riau Kombes Daniel Widya Mucharam, said that the results of the analysis were proof that sports were able to provide benefits that far exceeded the aspects of competition.

"Alhamdulillah, the entire series of Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 ran safely, orderly, and smoothly. The most proud thing is that this activity not only brings thousands of runners from various regions in Indonesia to foreign countries, but also provides a real economic impact for the community," said Daniel, Wednesday, July 22.

According to Daniel, this shows that a sports event can be a driver of economic activity as well as strengthen the image of Riau Province as a destination for sports tourism.

The presence of thousands of participants along with their families and companions opens up business opportunities in various sectors, ranging from hotels, transportation, culinary, trade, to UMKM players.

He added that the success was the result of collaboration between all parties, starting from the Riau Police and its ranks, the TNI, the Riau Provincial Government, the district and city governments, sponsors, running communities, volunteers, health workers, mass media, UMKM actors, sanitation officers, to all stakeholders involved from the planning stage to the implementation of activities.

"The results of this analysis are motivation for us, every activity that is held must be able to provide the widest possible benefits to the community. Not only successful as a sports event, but also provide added value for the local economy," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Riau Provincial BPS Asep Riyadi explained that the research was carried out to measure the direct economic impact caused by the implementation of the 2026 Riau Bhayangkara Run on local economic activities.

The research uses a combination approach between a survey of 130 participants, then combined with organizer data and analyzed using the Riau Province Input-Output Table.

Based on the results of the survey, the total spending of participants is estimated to reach around IDR 42.5 billion.

Then a simulation was carried out using the Input-Output Table, the shopping activity generated a total economic effect of around IDR 58.9 billion for the Riau Province economy.

Asep said that participants' spending was not only enjoyed by the event organizing sector, but also flowed into various business fields, such as transportation, hotels, restaurants, trade, processing industries, and other services.

This shows that the holding of sports events is able to create a multiplier effect on regional economic activities.

Asep said that the results of the analysis showed that the holding of events such as the Riau Bhayangkara Run not only had a direct economic impact through participant spending, but also created a ripple effect on various business sectors that are interconnected in the regional economic structure.

"Thus, activities like this have a positive contribution in encouraging local economic activity," said Asep.

He explained that the expenditure structure of participants was dominated by the purchase of sports equipment, transportation, consumption, accommodation, and souvenirs.

Meanwhile, participants from outside the city of Pekanbaru tend to have greater spending on transportation, hotels, and food and drink, thus contributing more to the local service and tourism sectors.

In addition, the survey results also showed that 95.4 percent of respondents believed that Riau Bhayangkara Run was able to boost the community's economy, while 98 percent of participants expressed their willingness to participate in similar events again.

"The findings show the high level of participants' trust in the economic benefits as well as the quality of the implementation of the 2026 Riau Bhayangkara Run," said Asep.

Meanwhile, the Event Director of Sumatera Satu Event Organizers, Rissandro Dian Pratama, said that the economic impact generated by the Riau Bhayangkara Run 2026 was the result of planning for the implementation which was oriented towards the participant experience.

From the beginning, the committee together with the Riau Police planned the entire series of activities so that participants not only came to participate in the competition, but also enjoy the various services and potential possessed by the Riau Province.

"We are not only focusing on race day, but building an event ecosystem that is able to drive community activities. Starting from race pack collection, SME involvement, entertainment, to the comfort of participants while in Pekanbaru is designed to provide the best experience," he said.

Rissandro believes that when participants come early, stay, enjoy the cuisine, use local transportation, to shopping, the benefits will be felt by many sectors.

"The results of the BPS analysis which shows an economic effect of up to IDR 58.9 billion are proof that the implementation of sports events managed professionally is able to provide wider benefits than just running competitions," said Rissandro. []