Krjogja.com – GUNUNGKIDUL — The atmosphere at Taman Soka, Watusigar Village, Ngawen Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency, looked different on Sunday morning (12 October 2025). Hundreds of runners in matching shirts filled the hilly area, ready to tackle the challenging course of the Fun Trail Run Watusigar 2025, themed “Nyigar Alas Watusigar”.
This cross-country running event was initiated by the Tourism Study Programme, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), together with the Tourism Student Association (HIMAPA UGM), as part of the Community Service Programme (PkM) Watusigar 2025.
Featuring two distance categories — 7 kilometres and 15 kilometres — the Fun Trail Run served as a new way to introduce Desa Wisata Sembrani Watusigar, a tourism village rich in natural scenery and local culture.
The event began in the morning with participant registration, followed by opening remarks and the official start by Watusigar Village Head, Giman, at the Taman Soka starting line. The 15K category was released first, followed by the 7K runners, whose route passed through hills, forests, and a massive split rock that inspired the name Watusigar.
Along the route, organisers set up two water stations to keep runners hydrated. At the finish line, participants were welcomed with fresh watermelon and refreshing drinks while enjoying the serene rural atmosphere.
After the race, runners joined a special session introducing the tourism attractions of Desa Sembrani Watusigar, led by local village officials. The event concluded with door prize giveaways and closing remarks from the Head of the PkM Watusigar 2025 Team, Mohamad Rachmadian Narotama, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.
The Fun Trail Run Watusigar was a collaborative effort, involving partners such as Sriharjo Forest Trail Run, Desa Wisata Sembrani Watusigar, and several running communities including Gunungkidul Runners, Blusukan Runners, SruntalSruntul.CC, Clongop Academia, and Bantul Runners.
Support also came from the Gunungkidul Tourism Office and the Watusigar Village Government, making this event a tangible example of partnership between academia, communities, and local government in developing community-based tourism potential.
Runner Enthusiasm and Inspirational Messages
Participants’ enthusiasm was evident from the start. Most were members of trail running communities, but there were also general participants from various regions such as Karanganyar and Klaten.
One participant admitted the route was truly challenging. “The trail really lives up to its name — nyigar alas — it’s hot, uphill, but fun and adrenaline-pumping,” they said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Rachmadian Narotama, the team leader, expressed his delight at the strong participation from both the local community and running groups.
“This event offers a new way to showcase Watusigar’s potential. Last year, the village gained attention for its culture and local products, but the market remained limited. Through trail running, we can reach a new audience, especially among young outdoor enthusiasts,” he said.
He also hoped that in the future, similar events could be managed more professionally to bring direct economic benefits to the village community.
Hopes for Future Events
In his remarks, Watusigar Village Head, Giman, expressed his gratitude for the successful Fun Trail Run, which he considered an excellent platform to promote Watusigar’s tourism potential. “We fully support this event and hope it can be held again next year. Through sport, Watusigar tourism can become even more well-known,” he said.
Rachmadian Narotama shared a similar view. “This year’s event is still free as it’s part of the introductory phase. In the future, we hope it can be organised more professionally and reasonably paid, so it becomes a source of income for the village,” he explained.
Revitalising the Tourism Village Through Running
The Fun Trail Run Watusigar demonstrates that sustainable tourism does not always require grandeur — it can begin with simple activities that engage communities, local groups, and academics alike.
Through the spirit of “Nyigar Alas”, this event was more than just a sports competition; it was a real movement to revitalise the tourism village, strengthen the local economy, and nurture a love of nature among younger generations.
Editor: Primaswolo Sudjono, Photo: SFTR
[Reposted from krjogja.com, with modified]
