SURAKARTA — As many as 800 runners across generations filled the courtyard of the Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) Edutorium on Sunday morning (June 14, 2026). The presence of these hundreds of participants marked the festivity of the UMS Fun Run, an energetic, casual running event that successfully served as the closing agenda for the entire Communication Feast (COMFEAST) 2026 series, organized by UMS Communication Science students.
Event Coordinator Zaki Aryasuta Rasendriya emphasized that the agenda was intentionally designed to be inclusive and non-competitive, ensuring participants were not burdened by time targets or achievements.
“Our main goal is to combine a healthy lifestyle, togetherness, and a spirit of collaboration. We want to encourage the academic community and the general public to care more about their physical health through an engaging sports activity,” Zaki said after the event.
The committee opted for a fun run concept after observing the current running trend, which is highly popular among the younger generation. Its relaxed characteristic proved effective in embracing a diverse profile of runners, ranging from university and school students to alumni and local running communities. The success in managing this massive crowd stemmed from the committee’s meticulous preparation over the past three to four months.
From the moment the starting flag was raised, the UMS Edutorium area was filled with positive energy. Participants appeared highly enthusiastic, from the warm-up session and navigating the route to offering moral support to one another toward the finish line. Many captured the warm moments by taking photos and sharing their excitement on social media. Furthermore, the event created a social space that strengthened the familial bonds among the UMS academic community and surrounding residents.
Looking ahead, Zaki hopes the event can undergo regular evaluations to evolve into a more professional annual agenda, maintaining safety standards and reaching a much broader audience.
“We want to convey the message that an active and healthy life can start with simple, enjoyable things. Hopefully, the spirit of togetherness and sportsmanship built at the Edutorium today can be continuously applied in everyday life, while fostering a sense of pride in being part of the UMS extended family,” Zaki concluded.