Central Java Anniversary Run, Ganjar: The Sport Spirit Is Good, The Nation Is Healthy

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo attended the 10K Central Java 78th Anniversary Run event which was held in Semarang City (ISTIMEWA)

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo attended the 10K Central Java event 78th Anniversary Run which was held in Semarang City, Sunday 13 August. The event was held to commemorate the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia and the 78th Anniversary of Central Java Province.

"Everyone celebrates independence day as well as celebrates Central Java's birthday and friends from the provincial government, it turns out that many runners too. Today we celebrate, everyone runs," said Ganjar after crossing the finish line.

Central Java Anniversary Run was attended by around 350 state civil servants (ASN) of the Central Java Provincial Government, a number of running communities, and the community. Apart from Ganjar and his beloved wife, Siti Atikoh Ganjar Pranowo, among the hundreds of runners there are also Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen and Secretary of Central Java Sumarno.

"The regional secretary ran away, the heads of the service ran away, there were many runners too and we involved those outside too. It turned out that there were a lot of enthusiasts. Anyway, if the spirit of sports is good, the nation is healthy," said Ganjar.

Hundreds of participants began running around 06.00. Ganjar released the runners at the gate line of the Central Java Governor's Office. After that, Ganjar immediately sneaked in between the groups of participants crossing the Simpanglima area of Semarang.

Ganjar and the runners then crossed Jalan DI Panjaitan, followed by Jalan MT Haryono to Letjend Suprapto Kotallama, Jalan Pemuda. The runner then took a route on Jalan MH Thamrin, Jalan Pandanaran, Simpanglima, and finished at the gate of the Central Java Governor's Office.

Along that route, Ganjar becomes the hunt for runners and people who ask for photos. Ganjar finally reached the finish line at around 07.00. There is already waiting for his beloved wife who first reached the finish line. Ganjar then received the finisher medal given by Siti Atikoh.

A participant, Zalfi, said that the Central Java Anniversary Run event was very exciting. Participants were very enthusiastic, including runners from the community. They even thought the event was like a race.

"The impression for the runners is that it's fun even though it's a fun run, but like the usual race. For the next event, if possible, there should be a podium, so the enthusiasm of the runners can be hotter in the future," said the runner from the Freelatic Community Semarang.

He also gave a message to the public to practice regularly. It needs to be done so that when it is not easily injured.

"Actually, you have to run regularly, so the training is to reduce injuries too because if you just run without warm-up, you can also get injured. So you have to practice often," he said.