99 Virtual Race Brings the Ultimate World Marathon 2025 to Indonesia

MENONTON sepak bola dunia is all about preparing for the unexpected. This is the first mental hurdle that fans of the sport face.

The application of Virtual Running, 99 Virtual Race, is returning to hold a virtual racing series starting in February this year. Along with Cerita Lari, 99 Virtual Race is organizing The Ultimate World Marathon (TUWM) 2025, a continuation of the World Marathon Challenge (WMC) that was successfully held over the past three years since 2020.

TUWM 2025 will take place in seven series and will take the theme of World Marathon Majors (WMM). For those who can complete the entire sequence of TUWM 2025, they will receive a medal. From those who can complete the seven series, one winner will be selected to receive a package prize to participate in one of the WMM events in 2026.

"TUWM 2025 is held by us to provide an alternative for recreational runners to experience the thrill of WMM virtually with a theme that is identical in each of its series," said 99 Virtual Race CEO Stevie Go on Wednesday (26/2).

The target number of participants in TUWM 2025 is expected to reach 5,000 runners, which is more than WMC in 2021 and 2022. In the WMC 2021 edition, there were 4,659 participants with 323 potential winners. The following year, 4,051 runners participated with 299 potential winners.

Around 5,000 runners are expected to participate in TUWM 2025 with 323 potential winners as the goal. If the winner is absent or refuses, the prize cannot be exchanged for money. The prize will be given to the next winner, determined through another lottery.

The registration period for TUWM 2025 will be opened in line with the series schedule. Registration takes place through the 99 Virtual Race application. The registration fee is IDR 169,000 and participants will receive a digital bib, a finisher medal, an e-Certificate, and a door prize. "Jersey is an add-on item for IDR 179,000 and is only available for special orders for the Run Tokyo 2025 series, with a deadline of April 20, 2025," Stevie added.

In the meantime, Cerita Lari Founder and CEO Faiz Kasmy said that they were very happy to collaborate again with 99 Virtual Race. Previously, the collaboration between 99 Virtual Race and Cerita Lari had taken place since WMC 2020.

"Cerita Lari is the official international travel partner for the World Marathon Majors (WMM), which gives us the authority to sell WMM race packages to runners in Indonesia. As the official licensee, this year's TUWM will be an opportunity for Cerita Lari to strengthen our role in encouraging Indonesian runners to participate in WMM," said Faiz.

Faiz expressed the hope that TUWM 2025 would create awareness and increase enthusiasm among Indonesian runners for the prestigious international race which is included in the World Marathon Majors calendar. Cerita Lari hopes that by participating in TUWM 2025, Indonesian runners will be able to start realizing their dreams of participating in one of the WMM events in Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.

One of the influencers who will participate in TUWM 2025, Fahril Baharuddin, highly appreciated 99 Virtual Race for organizing TUWM 2025. In his opinion, TUWM 2025 could be an ideal series of pre-races for runners who want to participate in the WMM series.

"I hope that more Indonesian runners will be able to participate in the WMM series, which is one of the largest international marathon events held annually. TUWM could be the first stepping stone for Indonesian runners to reach the WMM series," Fahril said.

The event is open to participants who are at least 18 years old, and the course must be completed in 6 hours 15 minutes (starting from the starting line).