11,000 runners joined Kemala Run 2026, the Love Climb becoming the iconic challenge.

The Running event Kemala Run 2026 was successfully held at Bali United Training Center, Gianyar, bali, on Sunday, 19 April 2024, involving approximately 11,000 participants from both domestic and international origins. This event not only served as a sports competition but also boosted the Tourism sector and local economy.

Race Management Section Head Brigadier General Sambodo Purnomo Yogo highlighted participants' high enthusiasm, including international runners who enlivened the competition.

“This event involved 11,000 runners, including international and national participants, making the competition quite thrilling,” he stated.

Technically, the committee designed a more challenging route than previous editions. A key attraction was the signature uphill section near the race's conclusion.

“One surprise was the notably steep incline before the finish line, famously called the 'love hill.' This classic route is intentionally preserved,” he explained.

The elevation design was maintained to heighten the challenge while offering participants a unique experience.

Beyond sports, Kemala Run 2026 provided opportunities for local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Around 50 MSMEs participated by offering diverse food and beverage options.

“We engaged approximately 50 Local MSMEs. Each runner received a Rp25,000 voucher redeemable for food and drinks,” he noted.

With the large participant pool, the economic potential from vouchers alone reached significant figures.

“Multiplied, the voucher value approaches hundreds of millions of rupiah—excluding additional on-site purchases,” he added.

The presence of thousands of runners in Bali also generated broad impacts across hospitality, culinary, and transportation sectors.

“Bali as a Tourist Destination benefits significantly. If each participant spends Rp5 million to Rp10 million in Bali, the regional economy sees substantial gains,” he emphasized.

Moving forward, Kemala Run aims to evolve beyond an annual Sports Event into a key driver for Sport Tourism, enhancing Bali's global appeal.