The historic Old Town area of Sawahlunto was filled with thousands of runners from various regions on Sunday (12/7/2026). Their presence at the "Jelajah Kota Tua Fun Run and Race 5K" event was part of the series of commemorations for the 80th Bhayangkara Day, as well as a new magnet for recreational sports in West Sumatra.
The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Sawahlunto, Riyanda Putra, along with the Chief of Sawahlunto Police, AKBP Simon Yana Putra. The presence of regional leaders along with elements of Forkopimda and the Chairman of KONI Sawahlunto, H. Jhon Reflita, further demonstrated collective support for the development of the sport tourism agenda in this UNESCO World Heritage city.
In his remarks, Mayor Riyanda Putra emphasized that organizing large-scale events provides a tangible economic impact for the local ecosystem. The hotel, culinary, and MSME sectors in Sawahlunto experienced a significant surge in economic activity during the event. This proves that combining sports and tourism concepts is a strategic step in advancing the region.
Echoing these sentiments, Sawahlunto Police Chief AKBP Simon Yana Putra stated that this activity represents synergy between the National Police (Polri) and the local government to get closer to the public while promoting Sawahlunto's image. His office is committed to continuing to support various positive agendas that can strengthen Sawahlunto's position as a host city for both national and regional events.
Meanwhile, Chairman of KONI Sawahlunto H. Jhon Reflita appreciated the high enthusiasm of the public. For him, the success of the Bhayangkara Run 2026 is not merely a successful running competition, but a symbol of cross-sectoral collaboration capable of fostering a healthy lifestyle while sustainably driving tourism and the creative economy.
