GORONTALO Half Marathon (GHM) 2024 started on Sunday (27/10) in Gorontalo. This event was the first time a half marathon took place in that city.
Organizers noted that there were 2,200 participants who enlivened GHM. They are not only from Gorontalo, also from Makassar, Manado, Ambon, Surabaya and Jakarta.
Acting Governor of Gorontalo M Rudy Salahuddin also stated that he was happy and proud that Gorontalo could be a good host for GHM.
“Everything was good, the participants were very proud because many also came from outside Gorontalo. The city of Gorontalo is now much better than before. We welcome tourists who want to come here with open arms. “The sea and beaches in Gorontalo are very exciting, so let’s come to Agorontalo,” said Rudy.
The participants, he continued, who came from areas outside Gorontalo also enjoyed the beauty of the city.
Rudy also praised all the participants and congratulated the winners. “Never forget Gorontalo,” he said.
Rudy also appreciated participants from outside the city who had stimulated Gorontalo’s economy during the activity. Hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and others directly felt the positive impact of this event.
Acting Governor of Gorontalo M Rudy Salahuddin.
Not only the participants, Rudy also gave his appreciation to the committee and a number of sponsors, starting from Garuda Indonesia, which is the main flight for all participants, as well as Telkomsel, which ensured communication continued to run smoothly.
The President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfaniaputra, stated that he was very happy to be able to support national sporting events and of course in the future we will continue to support them.
“Garuda is adding flights ahead of the event and we ensure that all parties, both the committee and participants, can arrive in Gorontalo and return comfortably after the event,” said Irfan.
No different from Irfan, VP Brand and Communications Telkomsel, Abdullah Fahmi, who also supported the GHM event, expressed his joy at seeing the success of this event.
“Telkomsel’s presence at the 2024 Gorontalo Half Marathon event is a form of Telkomsel’s commitment to help its customers stay connected and enjoy its services wherever the customer is. “MyTelkomsel as an application can also help monitor running activities at GHM with excellent service and network quality,” said Fahmi. (Z-6)
#GHM #attended #runners
**Interview with M. Rudy Salahuddin, Acting Governor of Gorontalo**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Mr. Rudy. Congratulations on the successful completion of the Gorontalo Half Marathon 2024! Could you share your initial thoughts on how the event went?
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** Thank you! I am truly happy and proud to see Gorontalo hosting such a significant event for the first time. With 2,200 participants from not just our province but also from cities like Makassar, Manado, Surabaya, and Jakarta, it was wonderful to experience the excitement and enthusiasm.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive! How do you think this event will impact Gorontalo as a tourism destination?
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** Hosting the Gorontalo Half Marathon opens up tremendous opportunities for us. It showcases Gorontalo’s potential as a sports tourism destination. Many participants enjoyed our beautiful landscapes, which can boost our reputation further, encouraging more tourists to visit and experience our coastal attractions.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the event was not only successful but also beneficial for the local economy?
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** Absolutely! The influx of participants and tourists stimulated our economy significantly. Local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites, experienced a boost during the marathon weekend. This is just the beginning, and we hope to attract even more events like this in the future.
**Interviewer:** What community feedback have you received from the participants and residents regarding the marathon?
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants expressed their admiration for Gorontalo’s hospitality and scenic beauty. Residents were very welcoming, and it was heartwarming to see the community rally together to support the event. I urged participants not to forget Gorontalo after this experience!
**Interviewer:** Looking forward, what are your hopes for future marathons or similar events in Gorontalo?
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** I hope we can establish Gorontalo as a regular stop on the running events calendar. This could lead to annual marathons or maybe even triathlons. We want to continue promoting our natural beauty and culture while fostering sports as a means to connect with the world. We’re committed to welcoming more visitors with open arms!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Rudy. We look forward to seeing more great events in Gorontalo!
**M. Rudy Salahuddin:** Thank you! It was my pleasure. Let’s keep the spirit of Gorontalo alive!