The 2026 Edition
The 2026 race was held on Sunday 15 February in Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, with around 6,000 runners taking part [1]. It offered 5 km, 10 km and 21 km categories alongside a long-distance category [1].
Pontianak sits almost exactly on the equator, which shapes everything about racing there: hot, humid conditions year-round and a very early start to beat the heat.
Who Came, and From Where
The field was notably wide. Beyond West Kalimantan itself, runners came from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Palembang and Bali, and from abroad -- Kuching across the Malaysian border, as well as Kenya, the Netherlands and Japan [1].
Kenyan entrants are usually a sign that a race offers prize money worth travelling for, and the Kuching contingent reflects how close Pontianak is to Malaysian Sarawak. Both suggest a front of the field that is genuinely competitive.
A Tourism Event as Much as a Race
Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono framed the event in economic terms: runners arriving early and staying overnight, with hotels, restaurants and small businesses benefiting [1]. He also tied it to promoting the city during the Lunar New Year and Cap Go Meh celebrations [1].
That timing matters to a visitor. Pontianak has one of Indonesia's larger Chinese-Indonesian communities, and Cap Go Meh there is a major festival. A race that coincides with it is a reason to stay longer, and a reason to book accommodation early.
What to Expect in 2027
The 2027 edition moves earlier, to Sunday 31 January, and is listed with 5 km, 10 km, a 21 km half marathon and a 42 km full marathon, with entry from Rp98,000 [2].
That is roughly two weeks earlier than 2026. Because the 2026 date was chosen partly around the Lunar New Year period [1], it is worth checking how the 2027 date sits against the festival calendar before planning a trip around both.
Should You Enter?
Yes, if you want a full marathon on Indonesian Borneo -- there are very few -- or a well-attended race with an international front end in an under-visited city. The low entry price makes it one of the better-value events of its size.
Go in expecting equatorial conditions. The heat and humidity will cost you time, and a full marathon here is a test of pacing and hydration more than of speed.
This review is compiled from published reporting on the previous edition and the organisers' own announcements. It is not a first-hand race report, and nobody from this site ran the race.