Unpad Manglayang Trail Running Invites the Community to Reforestation

Jatinangor, West Java – Universitas Padjadjaran holds another Unpad Manglayang Trail Running (Unpad MTR) event, this time executed offline or on site. In the previous year, the event was held in a hybrid approach with 150 on-site runners and 500 virtual runners.

Unpad MTR, held in Jatinangor, Sumedang, was celebrated by runners from various cities and provinces. The opening commenced at 05.00 am by releasing the 42K running category (Trail Marathon). Furthermore, the 21K category (Half Trail Marathon) at 05.30, the 10K category (Fun Trail) at 05.45, and the last category 5K (Family Trail) at 06.00.

Unpad MTR participants are divided into four categories with a total of 100 runners in the 42K category, 150 runners in the 21K category, 150 10K runners, and 200 runners in the 5K category. Each participant is appointed through the provision of mandatory gears, although there are a number of differences based on the level of difficulty.

“Certainly in the 42K and 21K categories the mandatory gears have more items compared to the 10K and 5K categories, considering that the running terrain is heavier,” said the Race Director of Unpad Manglayang Trail Running.

Technically, the cut off time applied is 7 hours for the 42K running category, 6 hours for the 21K category, 2 hours for the 10K category, and 1.5 hours for the 5K category. Therefore, it is expected that the event officially closes at 05.00 pm.

The route chosen for the Unpad MTR is not much different from last year, which is from Unpad Jatinangor Campus to Batu Beureum through Kiara Payung Campground. Runners who choose the marathon and half marathon route have to run up to 1818 meters above sea level. This is a challenge for the runners, as the running terrain on Mount Manglayang sparks adrenaline.

This program also invites Palawa Unpad members to be part of the organizers of the activity.

Furthermore, Unpad MRT has received two ITRA points in the 42K category and one 21K point. In order to meet ITRA requirements, the Unpad MTR committee discarded one post of ‘hydration checkpoint’ in the 42K and 21K categories.

“No need to worry as this reduction has been well calculated so that it does not negatively impact the participants,” Safitra assures.

The advantage of ITRA points obtained by runners, namely for participants who finish according to the cut off time will get points to access a number of trail races abroad that are included as members of ITRA.

In addition to running, the concept of the Unpad MRT event also promotes the enthusiasm for protecting the environment through reforestation of the area. This is evident by the consistent implementation of the concept through the “1 Runner 1 Tree” activity.

As the number of runners reached 600 people, 600 trees were planted in the forest area of Mount Manglayang, especially on the slopes that are the source of the local economy. Not only runners, the event also involved residents and farmer groups to monitor the growth and development of the planted trees.

“We utilize technology by developing an application for the program,” says the Chairman of the Unpad MTR Committee, Jaston Pangaribuan.

Fruit trees are chosen to be mass-planted as it is expected to bring economic benefits to the surrounding population. Some of the trees include avocado and mangosteen trees.

As the event is still in the transition period after the covid pandemic, the Unpad MRT committee has been collaborating with IdeaRun for race management. Through this, the race management team enforced high standards in the implementation of the event, one of which was the latest health protocol standards.

“Our team has hiked back and forth to the highest peak of Mount Manglayang and is very happy with the course. Hopefully the runners will be even more excited later with our efforts to improve the facilities on the track,” Safrita wishes.

Unpad MRT is supported by a number of parties, one of them being IKA Unpad. In addition, there are also sponsors from PT Timah, Bank Mandiri, Telkomsel, Medco Foundation, Bumi Rantau Energi, Bank Indonesia, Strive, Salomon, BPJS Employment, Kimia Farma, Crystalline, and Netflix.id.

Through the running activities together with the community, it is anticipated that similar events will be able to become a bridge between higher education institutions and the public. Hence, this can boost efforts to achieve the goal of sustainable cities and residential areas.

Writer: Maria Imanuella Dewi Sekartaji
Translator: Dhia Anaulva Putri