The morning was not yet fully bright when the area around the Universitas Terbuka (UT) Purwokerto building began filling with participants ready to run. On Sunday (September 13, 2026), hundreds of students, running community members, and residents from around Purwokerto gathered to take part in the Fun Run Sparta Ormawa 2026. The sporting event not only encouraged people to stay active and adopt a healthy lifestyle but also provided an opportunity for UT Purwokerto to connect with the community.

Initiated by the Student Organization (Ormawa) of UT Purwokerto, the event began at 4:45 a.m. with the opening of the bag deposit. Participants then arrived at the venue, took part in the opening session and welcoming act, and joined a group warm-up. The participants’ enthusiasm reached its peak when the official flag-off took place at 6:05 a.m.

Several invited guests also attended, including the Subdistrict Head of Purwokerto Utara, Kris Sinta Indra Kusumawati, S.STP., who represented the Banyumas Regent, Purwokerto Military District Commander (Komandan Kodim – Dandim) Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Edward Deru Saka Samosir, along with members of the local Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forum Komunikasi Pimpinan Daerah – Forkopimda), as well as SALUT representatives and residents from the surrounding community.

In remarks delivered by the Purwokerto Utara Subdistrict Head on behalf of the Banyumas Regent, the government of Kabupaten Banyumas expressed its appreciation for the implementation of Fun Run Sparta Ormawa 2026 as a platform for sports activities involving the academic community of UT Purwokerto and the wider public. The event was considered not merely a sporting activity but also a bridge to strengthen the relationship between UT Purwokerto and the community while introducing the campus to residents of Banyumas.

The government of Kabupaten Banyumas’ support for positive activities of this kind was also conveyed as part of efforts to educate the community, with the hope that UT Purwokerto would become increasingly recognized and closer to the hearts of Banyumas residents.

Meanwhile, the Director of UT Purwokerto explained that Fun Run Sparta Ormawa 2026 was held as part of UT Purwokerto’s commitment to achieving performance indicators in the area of health education for local communities. Therefore, the fun run, combined with a group healthy exercise session, represented a concrete form of concern for the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.

This spirit is in line with SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, particularly through efforts to encourage people to adopt an active lifestyle through shared physical activities.

Following the remarks and the explanation of the competition rules by the race director, hundreds of participants proceeded along the route prepared by the committee. The excitement continued with a group exercise session from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. The atmosphere became even livelier with the distribution of door prizes, including an electric bicycle, as well as various other exciting prizes from UT Purwokerto’s partners and sponsors.

One of the most anticipated moments was the Best Costume competition. Participants were encouraged to combine the spirit of running with creativity through unique costumes worn throughout the route. To maintain fair play, the committee required participants to wear their costumes from the beginning of the run, keep their BIB numbers visible, and prohibited participants from using someone else’s BIB, which could result in disqualification. The Best Costume winner was entitled to a prize of IDR 1,000,000.

The series of activities concluded with an awards ceremony and entertainment from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., before the entire event officially ended at 10:00 a.m.

Fun Run Sparta Ormawa 2026 became a space for UT Purwokerto and the community to come together through enjoyable sports activities. Behind the excitement of the running, group exercise, prizes, and creative costumes was a simple message: an active lifestyle can begin with enjoyable activities carried out together. From the running track, UT Purwokerto also created an opportunity to grow closer to the community.