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Jakarta is not exactly a city built for walking, let alone running. Those who enjoy getting their exercise by pounding the pavement will find it quite difficult to take on our city’s congested roads, unless they don’t mind dodging motorcycles and open sewers as part of their workout routine.

But there are plenty of people in Jakarta who love the sport so much that they are willing to deal with such headaches to get their run on. You will find plenty of them at Jakarta Free Spirit, a running club that offers members a way to enjoy a good run while interacting with others socially.

“It’s all about running and having fun with other people,” said Don DiBenedetto, one of the organization’s committee members.

Founded in 2001 by expat Barbara Oravetz, Jakarta Free Spirit focuses on promoting running as a recreational sport for people in the capital. But DiBenedetto, a Canadian who’s been in Jakarta with his family for four years, said that socializing is also an important element of the organization.

“We often talk with each other while running,” he said, adding that many of the organization’s members make new friends and acquaintances when they join the group’s events.

Jakarta Free Spirit holds two weekly runs. On Saturdays, fitness buffs and fun runners meet up at 6:30 a.m. at Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta to pad out a weekly five kilometer run.

The entire run takes place inside the zoo, which enables runners to enjoy the peaceful grounds while working up a sweat. The zoo’s quiet, lush environment, DiBenedetto said, has always been the event’s main attraction.

“I can tell you that it feels wonderful to run inside the zoo, hearing the birds singing and seeing the animals,” he said, pointing out that such experiences aren’t easily found in the city.

The organization now has more than 100 members who pay annual dues of Rp 150,000 ($17), allowing them to receive a weekly newsletter and a special discount rate on entrance fees for all of the group’s many races.

And while members do get discounts, non-members are always welcome to attend and participate in any of the group’s events.

Around 60 percent of the organization’s members are expats who live in Jakarta, while the rest are Indonesians.

On Sundays, things get a bit more serious as the group conducts a longer distance run — approximately 16 to 25 kilometers. To join this run, each participant needs to be physically prepared for quite a taxing run.

The organization’s Web site states that “Runners should be able to maintain a pace of 5.3 to 6 minutes per kilometer,”.

From their meeting point at McDonald’s in Kemang, South Jakarta, participants begin their run at 5 a.m.

The reason why they start the run so early is because they want to avoid the capital’s busy streets during the day as well as beat the tropical heat which can be withering by 9 a.m. The Sunday run takes a different route every week.

While cooler and free of traffic snarls, running in the predawn hours does have some consequences. Due to the uneven pavement and all open sewers and holes that pockmark Jakarta’s streets, runners need to be very alert and careful to avoid hurting themselves.

Dibenedetto said that he loves the energy of Jakarta, but still thinks it’s a pity that there are few parks and pathways where people can enjoy a nice walk or run.

“There’s actually no proper place where you can run in Jakarta,” he said. Because of this, the Sunday run group often caravans to Cibubur in East Jakarta or Sentul in West Java to hold their Sunday event.

Other than the weekly runs, Jakarta Free Spirit also sponsors and organizes several road races each year, usually in cooperation with a variety of different institutions. Their annual 5K run and a biannual 21K race are both held at Ragunan Zoo.

DiBenedetto said the runners, most of whom are foreigners, especially enjoy exploring different neighborhoods and interacting with every sort of Jakartan imaginable. Most of the group members find it very amusing that they always receive warm greetings from people on the city streets.

DiBenedetto, who has travelled and lived in many countries around the world, is quick to say that he thinks Indonesians are the friendliest people in the world.

“When I run, I always meet people on the streets saying ‘Hello Mister’ or ‘How are you?’ ”

Despite running not really being a big part of Indonesian culture, DiBenedetto said that the response he is getting from Indonesians is improving each time out, with more Indonesian participants coming out to run every time the members lace up their trainers.

“They’re very enthusiastic, cheerful and active,” DiBenedetto said.

For him and his ever-expanding group of runners, winning or reaching the finish line is rarely the main goal. Getting healthy, having fun and making new friends is what it’s really all about.

If you are interested in joining, but are worried that the other runners will be too fit and fast for you to keep up, DiBenedetto said not to worry.

“When I get tired in the middle of a run, I usually stop and just take a taxi home,” he said with a laugh.


Races held by Jakarta Free Spirit:
ISCI Road Race 2011 (Jan. 30)
Jakarta International School Road Race 2011 (Feb. 27)
British International School Road Race 2011 (March 27)
Jakarta Free Spirit Wintermar 5K and Fun Run (May 8)
For details go to: www.jakartafreespirit.org