PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. KUNINGAN - The West Java Province Youth and Sports Service (Dispora) took part in Ciremai Fest 2024, which took place at the foot of Mount Ciremai through the West Java Ultra Trail Run 2024 event.

Hundreds of participants took part in a marathon event exploring interesting spots in the Mount Ciremai National Park (TNGC) on Sunday morning (9/6/2024), by the Head of West Java Dispora Asep Sukmana together with the Acting Regent of Kuningan Regency, Iip Hidayat.

Asep Sukmana said that the Jabar Ultra activity was support for the 2024 Ciremai Festival which was organized by the Kuningan Regency Regional Government to increase and encourage tourism development in Kuningan Regency and preserve the nature of Mount Ciremai.

Mount Ciremai, as one of the highest mountains on the island of Java (3,078 meters above sea level), has a special attraction for trail runners in Indonesia.

The route presented in Jabar Ultra 2024 passes several points from Kuningan Regency and Majalengka Regency at the foot of Mount Ciremai.

West Java Ultra 2024 participants are divided into several categories, namely Long Course Men's and Women's Individuals, Short Course Men's and Women's Individuals and Short Course Men's and Women's Couples, competing for a total prize of IDR 127 million.

For the Long Course Category with a distance of 55 KM, start from Open Space Linggarjati Gallery - Puncak - Palutungan (Kuningan Regency) - Puncak Apuy (Majalengka Regency) - Peak and finish at Open Space Galeri. The start started on Saturday afternoon (8/6/2024), with a maximum finish limit of 24 hours (cut off time).

Then the Short Course with a distance of 22 KM, starting from the Linggarjati Gallery Open Space - Mount Ciremai Peak - finishing at the Gallery Open Space. The start starts early Sunday morning (9/6/2024), with a cut-off time of 10 hours or a maximum of Sunday, 15.00 WIB.

In general, the route used is a climbing route, Palutungan in the southern part of Mount Ciremai, Apuy (west), Linggasana, and Linggarjati (east), respectively from bottom to top going through residential land, fields and gardens belonging to residents, Pine plantations mixed with arable fields in the forest area.

In this competition, the participants were equipped with small bells, the aim was to avoid being disturbed by wild animals which are still common in TNGC.

Participants are also required to follow the instructions considering that some of the paths taken are quite steep up to the crater rim.

"This is not our first activity, but the route is new following the climbing route on Mount Ciremai," explained Asep.

He said that this activity was to provide space for running sports lovers, both long and short distances, as well as for nature lovers.

Moreover, according to him, the race route was very interesting with various exotic natural views of the Ciremai area.

"Cultivating sports in society, sports tourism, socializing the maintenance of the Mount Ciremai area, of course at the same time bringing tourists to West Java," he stressed.

One of the marathon participants, Ruth Theresia, revealed that she often took part in trail running. Through this event, apart from exercising, you can also enjoy the natural views of hills or mountains.

"It's very refreshing to run in the mountains and the routes at TNGC are also very challenging to conquer," said Ruth.