Borobudur Marathon

Location: Magelang, Central Java

Country:  Indonesia
Website:  https://borobudurmarathon.com/
2025 Marathon Date:  16/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  TBC
Winning Time 2025: 2:17:27

% Sub-3s:  1-2%
# Sub-3s:  10--49
Total Runners: 3-10k

The Borobudur Marathon offers one of the most culturally immersive and visually striking marathon experiences in Asia, set within the lush, rolling landscapes of Magelang in Central Java. Starting and finishing at the Lumbini Park Complex near the iconic Borobudur Temple — the world’s largest Buddhist monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the race places runners at the heart of a region steeped in spiritual significance, natural beauty and deep cultural heritage. The panoramic backdrop of the temple at the start creates a sense of occasion unique to this event.

The course takes runners through a diverse and engaging rural environment, weaving across expansive rice fields, dense tropical vegetation and traditional Javanese villages. Unlike flat, metropolitan marathons, Borobudur’s route is defined by its gentle hills and varied topography. With a total elevation gain of roughly 320 metres, the marathon offers a measured but meaningful physical test, blending rolling terrain with stretches of flatter running. This combination makes pacing a strategic element, particularly as runners prepare for one of the course’s defining challenges — a significant uphill climb near kilometre 35 that arrives at a critical stage of effort. The half marathon mirrors this characteristics, featuring a demanding climb around kilometre 17.

Community support is a signature of the event. Local residents line the roads, offering cheers of “semangat!”, traditional performances and warm hospitality that infuse the race with an electric, communal atmosphere. This engagement transforms the marathon into more than an athletic challenge; it becomes a cultural journey through the heart of Central Java. Participants experience not only the physical contours of the region but also its rhythms, customs and the generosity of its people.

The scenic setting, varied terrain and cultural immersion combine to make the Borobudur Marathon a distinctly memorable race. With its road-closed course, vibrant local involvement and continuous interplay between nature and heritage, the event offers a “run-cation” experience that connects runners deeply with Magelang’s landscape and soul. For athletes seeking a marathon that balances physical challenge with cultural richness, the Borobudur route stands out as a uniquely rewarding journey.