KUDUS – D’tjolo Eco Park in Colo Village, Dawe District, Kudus Regency, served as the starting point for hundreds of runners in the Ultra Trail Mount Moeria (UTMM) 2026, held October 3-4, 2026, across the Muria region.
The event featured four race categories: 7K, 15K, 30K, and 50K. All races began and concluded in the area formerly known as Taman Ria Colo.
The UTMM event took place while D’tjolo Eco Park was still undergoing renovations. Once managed by the Kudus Regency Government, the site is now under private management and is being developed with a new concept.
Amidst the ongoing revitalization, UTMM 2026 brought new activity to the area. Participants, organizers, and supporters gathered at D’tjolo Eco Park before runners tackled routes spanning from the Colo area to various points throughout the Muria mountains.
While the site remains at its original location, the renamed D’tjolo Eco Park features a new concept and management. Private management began on August 1, 2026, followed by renovations across several sections of the grounds.
Development was still in progress during the UTMM 2026 event. Management expects the initial phase of the transformation to be ready by year-end, with full operations for D’tjolo Eco Park projected to start in early December 2026.
Planned amenities include flower gardens, a mini playground and educational facilities for children, a rainbow slide, hot air balloons, and a preserved camping area. Restrooms, prayer rooms, cafes, and restaurants are also included in the development plan.
The revitalization efforts are also aimed at restoring the site's original character, known for its lush trees and cool, shaded atmosphere.
Despite the ongoing construction, D’tjolo Eco Park had to prepare for the UTMM 2026 activities, which ran from night through to the following day.
General Manager of CV Karya Pijar Utama, Pujiharto, stated that the management prepared basic facilities within the area to support the race.
“Regarding the readiness of D’Tjolo Ecopark, we facilitated the start and finish areas. We focused primarily on the gate and several points that would likely be used by participants,” said Pujiharto.
Lighting has become a primary concern, as long-distance categories begin their race at night. Additionally, management has confirmed the availability of water and restroom facilities for participants.
“We believe that lighting, water, and toilets are well-handled. Everything has been prepared,” the official said.
Meanwhile, vehicle parking is being managed by the event organizers. D’tjolo Eco Park management is focused on ensuring the readiness of facilities and areas under their direct oversight.
With different departure schedules for each category, participant activity in the area will occur in phases. 50K runners will begin arriving in the evening, followed by the 30K category, while 15K and 7K participants will start their races in the morning.
From D’tjolo Eco Park, runners immediately encounter the character of the Colo region, a vital segment of the UTMM course. The route not only takes participants into the highlands but also through spaces used daily by the local community.
Ultra Trail Mount Muria 2026 Event Director, Muhammad Yusrul Huda, noted that one of the unique features they aim to highlight is the market stairway below the Sunan Muria Mosque and Tomb.
“We want to showcase the market steps located below the Sunan Muria Mosque and Tomb. In trail running, it is rare to have a path that passes through a market, especially one on an incline. This has become a signature feature of the Ultra Trail Mount Muria 2026,” Huda said.
Beyond the Colo area, the course terrain shifts. Participants pass through plantations and mountainous paths, with challenges varying based on the category.
The Natas Angin area remains a permanent fixture of the route. For the 50K category, the journey continues to Peak 29 and the Tempur Village area in Jepara Regency before runners head back toward D’tjolo Eco Park.
This course design ensures runners are directly connected to both the natural landscape and the inhabited spaces of the Muria region.
The UTMM 2026 experience begins before participants hit the trails, with race pack collection spanning two days at different venues.
On Friday, October 2, the first Race Pack Collection (RPC) will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. WIB at Kirana Toko Oleh-oleh, United Grand Square. The following day, RPC will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. WIB at the Graha Muria Hotel Hall, followed by a sharing session at 1:00 p.m. WIB and a technical meeting at 2:00 p.m. WIB.
Once night falls, the long-distance categories take over the course. The 50K runners will begin at 9:00 p.m. WIB, followed by the 30K category at 11:00 p.m. WIB.
Activities continue Sunday morning. The 15K participants will be flagged off at 6:00 a.m. WIB, while the 7K category begins one hour later.
Once all categories are on the course, venue activities will shift to a sportainment agenda starting at 9:00 a.m. WIB.
The cut-off time (COT) is adjusted based on the distance and characteristics of each category. The 7K participants have a maximum of four hours, ending at 11:00 a.m. WIB, while the 15K category is allotted six hours, finishing at 12:00 p.m. WIB. The 30K race has a 14-hour limit until 1:00 p.m. WIB, and 50K participants are given a maximum of 18 hours, until 3:00 p.m. WIB.
“Each category features a distinct time limit reflecting the distance and terrain. Participants who exceed these limits will no longer meet the requirements for official completion,” Huda explained.
The full schedule for UTMM 2026 is set to conclude on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. WIB.
The activity surrounding the UTMM 2026 extends beyond the race venue itself. The influx of participants and their entourages has boosted foot traffic in the Colo area, particularly for local businesses situated near the event site.
Willy Abdul Fathir, a barista and staff member at a local Kudus souvenir center, has worked in the area for three years and noted that business typically picks up during major events in Colo.
"Business usually gets busier whenever an event like this takes place," Willy said.
While it is too early to gauge the exact increase in visitor numbers for UTMM 2026, inventory has been bolstered in anticipation of higher demand.
Muria coffee remains one of the most sought-after products for visitors, as the local specialty is a favorite among those passing through the Colo area.
The UTMM 2026 has drawn participants from across the region, including Randhie Apituley, a 30K category runner from Jakarta who is visiting Kudus and the Muria region for the first time.
Randhie discovered the UTMM 2026 on Instagram. After seeing information from previous editions, he became interested in tackling the Muria terrain and decided to register.
"I found out about the Ultra Trail Mount Moeria 2026 on Instagram. Seeing the information on the Ultra Trail Mount Moeria 2025 event piqued my interest, so I signed up," Randhie said.
He traveled from Jakarta by bus and arrived in Kudus early Friday morning. Beyond the physical challenge of the course, the scenic landscape of the Muria region was a major draw.
He is particularly eager to visit Natas Angin in person, having previously only seen the site in videos.
"I am most interested in the natural surroundings. Natas Angin looks fascinating in the videos," he said.
His visit to Kudus also provides an opportunity to explore the city through its local cuisine. Amidst his race schedule, he has placed Soto Kudus at the top of his culinary bucket list.
Organizers designed the UTMM course to go beyond mere distance and terrain challenges. The selected route guides participants through the diverse character of the Muria region, spanning local markets, plantations, and mountain ranges.
Huda noted that this approach is central to the sports tourism concept promoted by UTMM 2026. While the race serves as the primary draw, the travel experience allows participants to gain a broader understanding of the region.
"We hope that Muria becomes more widely known—not just as a race destination, but as a place where visitors can discover local businesses, culinary delights, tourism sites, and the various potentials surrounding Muria," he said.
Randhie’s experience illustrates this impact. Traveling from Jakarta to compete in the 30K race, his visit also took him to Colo, sparking a desire to see Natas Angin in person while also sampling Kudus’ signature dishes.
Meanwhile, UTMM 2026 is taking place as D’tjolo Eco Park enters a new phase. The site, which is currently undergoing redevelopment, serves as both the gateway for runners entering the Muria trails and the finish point for those completing their race.
From the start and finish lines, the participants' movement extends into the mountain trails, tourist areas, and surrounding local businesses. It is here that the Ultra Trail Mount Moeria 2026 brings together sport and the firsthand experience of discovering Muria. (OEB/ITN/YSR/mainkekudus)