A Hotel-Backed Race With Real Elevation
The race is organised by Merumatta Coast Trail at Merumatta Hotel, Senggigi, Lombok Barat, offering four distances: 21.1K, 10K, 5K and 2.5K, with 390 metres of elevation gain on the half marathon. [1] That's a genuinely hilly course by the standards of most races in this research batch -- runners chasing a flat PR should look elsewhere, but those wanting a scenic, challenging coastal route will find real terrain here.
Senggigi: Lombok's Original Tourist Strip
Senggigi was once Lombok's main tourist strip, stretching along several kilometres of beachfront just north of the capital, Mataram, and saw a building boom in the late 1990s when the island was hyped as 'the next Bali.' [2] The communal violence of 2000 and the 2002 Bali bombing dealt the area a severe blow, with tourist numbers declining sharply and many construction projects halted. Senggigi has since fallen behind Kuta Lombok in the south and the Gili Islands in the northwest in terms of popularity and development.
A Quieter Coastal Destination Today
That history means Senggigi today offers a genuinely quieter, less-crowded beachfront experience than Lombok's newer, more heavily developed tourist zones -- notable attractions include Pura Batu Bolong, a Hindu temple built into a beachside rock formation. [2] For runners who prefer a coastal race destination without the intensity of a peak tourist hub, that's a real advantage.
Registration and Distance Range
[1] The 2.5K category in particular makes this accessible to families or casual participants who want to be part of race weekend without tackling the hillier longer distances.
Should You Run It?
If a genuinely challenging, hotel-backed coastal race in a quieter corner of Lombok appeals -- especially if you want real elevation rather than a flat course -- the Merumatta Half Marathon on 18 October 2026 is a strong pick.