Surakarta Mayor Respati Ardi has lauded the success of the Mangkunegaran Run 2026, a key event during the 269th Adeging Mangkunegaran anniversary celebrations held in May 2026. According to the Mayor, the event serves as a prime example of how a major gathering can transcend simple attendance figures to deliver a significant economic impact while bolstering the city’s brand.
The Mayor’s statement followed a report released by the Katadata Insight Center (KIC) on Wednesday, May 21, 2026. The research revealed that the 2026 Adeging Mangkunegaran festivities generated an economic impact of Rp87.9 billion, marking an impressive 119.8% increase compared to the previous year’s celebration.
The study, based on face-to-face surveys of 320 participants—including runners, visitors, and local business owners between May 1 and May 3, 2026—highlighted a notable rise in participant spending and business turnover throughout the event series. The Mangkunegaran Run 2026, held on Sunday, May 3, attracted approximately 7,750 runners from 22 different countries, seamlessly blending sports, culture, and tourism to cement Solo’s reputation as a premier destination for culture-based sport tourism.
Reflecting on these results, Mayor Respati emphasized that future events in Surakarta should be measured by broader metrics of success. Beyond mere crowd size or festivities, he noted that the true value lies in the tangible benefits felt by the community, including local MSMEs, the hospitality industry, culinary sectors, transportation services, and the creative economy.
“Events must provide economic benefits for the community while simultaneously strengthening Solo’s image as a city of culture, creativity, and tourism,” stated Respati. He noted that the Mangkunegaran Run demonstrated how a sporting event could be transformed into a powerful promotional platform for the city. Participants did not visit solely to run; they were fully immersed in the local atmosphere, enjoying the city’s culinary scene, cultural heritage, and the characteristic warmth of the people of Solo.
Looking ahead, the Mayor believes that similar agendas should be designed to encourage longer visitor stays. By extending the duration of trips, the economic advantages can be distributed more widely across hotels, local transport, creative businesses, and gift shops. “By focusing on sport tourism and wellness tourism, we can ensure that tourists do not just arrive for a single activity, but stay to experience everything our city has to offer in its entirety,” he concluded.
Summary
The Mangkunegaran Run 2026, held as part of the 269th Adeging Mangkunegaran anniversary, significantly boosted Solo’s economy by generating Rp87.9 billion in impact, a 119.8% increase from the previous year. The event attracted 7,750 international runners and successfully positioned Solo as a premier destination for culture-based sport tourism. This success highlights the effectiveness of integrating sports and cultural celebrations to drive tangible growth for local MSMEs and the hospitality sector.
Mayor Respati Ardi emphasized that future city events will prioritize broader economic benefits for the community over simple attendance numbers. By promoting sport and wellness tourism, the city aims to encourage longer visitor stays to maximize spending across local businesses. This strategic approach intends to transform such gatherings into sustainable platforms that strengthen Solo’s reputation for culture, creativity, and tourism.
