Kelanawisata.id, Kulon Progo - Badan Pelaksana Otorita Borobudur (BPOB) successfully held BIOSFERUN 2026 at the Pagerharjo Village Field in Kulon Progo on Sunday (18/10). This cross-country running event serves as a vital instrument for activating the potential of the Menoreh Biosphere Reserve while promoting sustainable development in an area recognized by UNESCO.

The Menoreh Hills, which hold a wealth of biodiversity and geological history, bore witness to the resilience of more than a thousand runners. The event was not merely a competition, but an effort to accelerate public awareness of the Menoreh Biosphere Reserve, which has been an integral part of the Merapi Merbabu Menoreh Biosphere Reserve since October 28, 2020.

Technical Challenges on the Trail

The event was divided into three main categories that tested the participants’ courage: the 30K Trail Run, the KAI 15K Fun Trail, and the Super Fun 7K. The 30K category was a magnet for professional runners because it offers an ITRA index of 2. A total of 407 runners had to conquer extreme elevations of up to 1,982 meters above sea level to compete for those points before the cut-off time expired.

The Super Fun Trail Run 7K category was joined by 344 participants, including Purworejo Deputy Regent Dion Agasi, who personally experienced the atmosphere of competition on the hilly terrain. Meanwhile, the KAI Fun Trail 15K category drew 309 enthusiastic runners who traversed Menoreh’s technical trails, which are known to be both challenging and beautiful.

Uncovering the Traces of an Ancient Volcano

Beyond its physical challenges, the BIOSFERUN 2026 route offered an extraordinary natural narrative. The Samigaluh and Loano areas, through which the course passed, are remnants of the grandeur of an ancient volcano from ages past. Runners were treated to diverse landscapes of flora and fauna, revealing the exotic side of Menoreh’s scenery, which unites geological elements with living ecosystems.

The event reinforces the Menoreh Biosphere Reserve’s status as a world heritage site. By integrating sports and conservation, BPOB positions the event as a means of environmentally friendly regional development. The activity is expected to stimulate creative economic growth around the Borobudur area without compromising the protection of the existing natural wealth.