JAKARTA: The death of a runner during a marathon event in Jakarta last week has raised concerns about participant preparedness and emergency medical response, as long-distance running continues to gain popularity in the capital.
The BTN Jakarta International Marathon (Jakim), which featured 5K and 10K races on June 13 and half and full marathons on June 14, attracted around 45,500 participants.
All races started and finished at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta.
The deceased runner, identified as Agus Putranadi from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, reportedly collapsed at the 14-kilometer mark of the half marathon on Sunday.
He was rushed to Siloam Hospital in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, but later died. His death prompted public scrutiny over the adequacy of medical support at large-scale running events.
In response, Jakim medical director Andhika Raspati said organizers had expanded medical coverage by 35 per cent compared with last year’s event, deploying 257 personnel across 10 medical tents, 21 ambulances and 40 mobile medical units along the 42-kilometer route.
“We increased the number of medical personnel even though the daily number of participants [24,000] was lower than last year’s [33,000],” Andhika said in a statement, adding that all personnel had undergone training, briefings and operational preparations to ensure optimal medical services throughout the event.
The incident also sparked debate over the physical readiness of participants taking part in endurance events.
Surya Budhi, a Jakarta-based runner who completed the full marathon and has participated in several races since taking up the sport in 2022, said conditions were challenging from the outset.
“Even before the start at 4am, the temperature was around 28 degrees Celsius and thousands of runners were gathered at the starting point. It felt very stuffy,” the 31-year-old told The Jakarta Post.
He said Jakarta’s heat and humidity made the race particularly demanding, with many participants seeking treatment for exhaustion and injuries.
He also felt the number of medical personnel along the route appeared inadequate.
“Running is a high-risk sport, so participants must be properly prepared, especially in Jakarta’s conditions,” Surya said, “Organisers should also prioritize participants’ safety because the real finish line is when runners return home safely.”
The incident has also renewed concerns about the growing number of inexperienced runners taking part in endurance races.
Agus, who died during the Jakim half marathon, was reportedly competing in the 21-km category for the first time, according to medical coordinator Andhika Raspati, as reported by Kompas.com.
He cautioned, however, that the victim’s inexperience was not considered the direct cause of death, with Agus suspected of suffering heatstroke that subsequently developed into a more serious condition.
Chairunisa, a 29-year-old running enthusiast from Jakarta, separately said many first-time participants underestimated the physical demands of long-distance races.
“When I prepare for a marathon, I start around six months in advance. The preparation is often more challenging than the race itself,” she said.
“Participating in a running event requires strength training, proper nutrition, cross-training and sufficient rest. Following a trend without adequate preparation can be very dangerous, especially in a tropical, humid and polluted city like Jakarta.”
Sports medicine physician Andi Kurniawan said runners should ideally train for three to six months before entering a marathon to reduce the risk of injury, heat-related illness and sudden cardiac arrest.
“Runners’ body temperatures are already elevated during a race, making them more vulnerable to heatstroke in hot weather,” Andi said.
As running events become increasingly popular, he warned that some organizers appeared to prioritise entertainment value and participation numbers over medical preparedness.
“Medical teams must be ready to handle heatstroke cases. Ice baths, cooling equipment, intravenous fluids and access to intensive care are crucial for improving a patient’s chance of survival,” Andi added. – The Jakarta Post/ANN
