Cheers echoed across the Bungin Village Field at dawn on Sunday, Jul. 20, 2025, marking the start of the 2025 Fun Triathlon held in a spirit of togetherness and with a broader level of participation than in previous years.
Carrying the theme ‘Run, Ride, Discover: Exploring the Beauty of Banggai Island!’, the event served not only as a sporting competition but also as a celebration of healthy living, a promotion of local tourism, and a symbol of collaboration among the community, regional government, and Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) students in the Banggai Islands Unit.
The event was officially opened by the Regent of the Banggai Islands, Rusli Moidady, who, in his remarks, expressed full support for such collaborative initiatives.
“Activities like the Fun Triathlon are not just about sports; they generate tangible impacts in tourism and health, particularly in Bakalan Island and its surroundings. This is a great example of positive collaboration between students, the government, and the community,” he stated.
The regent also shared his optimism that the event could evolve into a larger-scale annual agenda.
He expressed his hope that all participants would take home fond impressions of the warmth of the community and the natural beauty of the Banggai Islands.
“I believe events like this can become a momentum for sustained collaboration among local governments, village authorities, and UGM’s KKN students. In the future, this may develop into a nationally recognized tourism promotion platform,” he added.
The success of this event was also due in large part to the active involvement of KKN-PPM students in the Banggai Islands Unit, who initiated and organized the event.
Merisa Amanda, the event coordinator from the KKN-PPM team, explained that the students were involved from the very beginning.
“During the pre-event phase, we were responsible for designing the entire concept, including developing the theme, structuring the flow of activities, and managing technical aspects such as logistics and inter-party coordination,” she said.
The students’ involvement extended beyond the planning stage and continued throughout the event day.
They helped ensure the smooth running of the event alongside village officials and community members.
“When the event took place in Bungin Village, our involvement went beyond administrative roles; it included decision-making and on-site execution. We had to make sure every segment of the event proceeded as planned,” Amanda added.
Running from 07.00 to 11.00 Central Indonesia Time, the event drew hundreds of spectators from various villages across the Banggai Islands.
A total of 15 teams from four villages participated in the triathlon, seven teams from Bungin Village, six from Bakalan Village, and one team each from Lumbi-lumbia and Sambulangan Villages.
Each team consisted of three individuals competing in swimming, cycling, and running events, making this triathlon a relay that combined physical endurance with strong teamwork.
Despite being held modestly, the 2025 Fun Triathlon carries significant hopes.
Through a spirit of mutual cooperation, residents, local authorities, and students demonstrated the vast potential of villages to develop into community-based tourist destinations, not only because of their natural beauty but also due to the strong sense of solidarity that animates them.
This event serves as proof that cross-sector collaboration can give rise to local initiatives with broad impact.
More than just an annual festivity, the Fun Triathlon stands as a symbol of rural revitalization driven by participation and collective spirit.
Author: KKN-PPM Team in Banggai Islands
Editor: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna