KUDUS — The parking area of the UHT Express shop in Mlati Kidul, Kota District, Kudus, buzzed with activity as dusk settled over the city. Many attendees had arrived straight from work, still dressed in formal office attire with backpacks slung over their shoulders. One by one, they traded their work clothes for sportswear, tightened their shoelaces, and exchanged greetings with fellow participants as the crowd continued to grow.
They gathered for the weekly "LASADA"—or "Lari Selasa Ndalu" (Tuesday Night Run)—a staple event hosted by the Kudus Runners community. For participants, the evening served as more than just a workout; it was an essential outlet to unwind after a long day and a way to foster camaraderie among community members.
Among the regulars is Achmad Khoirul. Despite his demanding work schedule, the Mejobo native consistently carves out time for this weekly gathering.
"Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily work, we make time for LASADA. Especially since it only happens once a week," Khoirul said.
Khoirul’s journey with Kudus Runners is long-standing; he has been with the group since its inception. Beyond maintaining physical fitness, the strong sense of family among members remains the primary reason he continues to return.
"The main motivation is to maintain health and fitness so the body stays refreshed and doesn't fatigue easily. But equally important are the connections and the togetherness. We have fun with our friends," he added.
LASADA is a cornerstone event for Kudus Runners, a non-profit running community established in February 2016. According to LASADA Coordinator Muhammad Sholeh, the initiative was born from a consistent effort to cultivate an active and healthy lifestyle in Kudus Regency.
Kudus Runners organizes three sessions per week tailored to different schedules: MME (Sunday Morning Run), Lajunda (Friday Night Run), and LASADA on Tuesday nights.
Choosing evening time slots is deliberate, designed to accommodate residents and workers whose availability is limited by office hours or other daily commitments. After completing their duties, they can join other runners without scheduling conflicts.
As a non-profit entity driven by communal spirit, Kudus Runners maintains a flexible approach to its meetings and does not adhere to a single permanent location.
"Our community is non-profit, not profit-oriented. Therefore, our meeting point concept is nomadic, moving from place to place," explained Sholeh.
This approach also creates opportunities for fresh collaboration with local businesses, ranging from coffee shops to independent creative spaces. For this event, UHT Express partnered with Kudus Runners to revitalize the night atmosphere in the Mlati Kidul area.
"UHT Express happens to be a new establishment and reached out for a collaboration. The location was suitable, so we decided to reactivate the LASADA starting point here," Sholeh added.
The clock struck 6:15 p.m. as the UHT Express grounds warmed up with a group stretching session. Approximately 25 to 30 runners appeared enthusiastic while loosening their muscles before taking to the streets at night. The range of participants was diverse, encompassing energetic youth and middle-aged workers.
The event's appeal extended beyond city limits, with several visiting runners from areas including Pati, Jepara, and Demak joining the group.
Before the pack departed, Sholeh provided brief instructions regarding the route and pace limitations. LASADA consistently maintains a five-kilometer (5K) distance. This length serves as an ideal compromise—sufficient for members preparing for official competitions while remaining accessible for participants seeking basic physical fitness.
"Five kilometers is the minimum standard distance for official running competitions. It is perfect for measurable training for those wanting to participate in a race, but still friendly for those just looking to break a sweat," he stated.
The group departed from the UHT Express grounds on Jalan GOR Mlati Kidul. They traveled through the Pentol intersection, then proceeded west along the main road toward the Simpang Tujuh Kudus square area.
From the city center, the route turns south along Gang Empat, before eventually swinging east until the entire group arrives safely at the UHT Express finish line.
Throughout the course, group cohesion is strictly maintained by keeping participants in a single formation at an agreed-upon speed. Kudus Runners positions a pace captain at the front to regulate the rhythm, ensuring all participants can keep moving together.
Sholeh noted that the target speed is set at approximately seven minutes per kilometer, commonly referred to as pace 7.
“We locked it at pace 7 (seven minutes per kilometer). This is the safest compromise, bridging the gap between faster runners accustomed to pace 5–6 and beginners who usually run at pace 8–9,” said Sholeh.
This formula has proven effective in accommodating varying physical fitness levels among participants. Experienced runners can still train to maintain their stamina, while beginners can adapt to the activity without the pressure of struggling to keep up with the group's rhythm.
Safety is also a top priority throughout the event. Participants are instructed to run in a single file, avoid taking up too much of the road, and remain courteous to other road users. In the event of heavy rain, the agenda is subject to flexible changes, with the safety of all runners remaining the primary concern.
In these group runs, attention is not solely focused on the leading runners. Kudus Runners always stations a sweeper team at the rear, ready to support anyone struggling or finding it difficult to keep pace with the group.
This support system ensures no runner feels isolated when fatigue sets in. They always have encouragement by their side to keep them moving until they reach the finish line.
This warm atmosphere was personally experienced by Muhammad Ihsan Fatoni, a resident of Banganjaran Village, Bae District. Tuesday night marked his first experience joining LASADA after discovering the event through a Kudus Runners Instagram post earlier that morning.
As a newcomer, Toni admitted that the 5K route was a significant physical challenge. Since he was not yet accustomed to long-distance running, he found himself panting halfway through the course.
“My first impression was that it was incredibly enthusiastic and motivating, even though I was panting,” Toni recalled.
Although physically drained, he was greatly aided by the well-regulated tempo from the front and the supportive presence of the sweeper team behind him. This format allowed him to enjoy the run within his own limits without the anxiety of being left behind.
“The pace is well-managed by the lead team, and we have support in the back. Newcomers can simply adjust to their own abilities without fear of being left behind. As for my next goal? I want to join again, but with a more enjoyable experience, without being completely out of breath,” he said.
For Khoirul, this spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie is what makes community running so compelling. Differences in fitness levels or experience are never a barrier to joining and growing together.
“My advice for those in Kudus who want to start running: don't hesitate, don't be shy. Whether you are a veteran runner or a beginner, everyone here is equal. We share tips and learn together,” he added.
By 7:30 p.m. WIB, the participants arrived back at the UHT Express starting point one by one. After completing the route, they rested, rehydrated, and swapped stories. The conversation flowed freely, covering everything from the night's route dynamics to gear recommendations and upcoming competition goals.
The good news is that these sessions do not require any registration or participation fees. Members of the public interested in hitting the pavement at night with Kudus Runners can check the latest schedules and meeting points via the official Instagram account @kudusrunners.
“We emphasize that this is 100 percent free with no hidden costs. For any resident who wants to adopt a healthy lifestyle, our doors are wide open,” asserted Sholeh.
For Khoirul, this valuable opportunity to gather and maintain fitness is a strong motivator to keep showing up despite a hectic daily schedule. Meanwhile, for Toni, his debut experience has left him motivated to return in even better physical condition.
The evening deepened as participants began to say their goodbyes. The Tuesday night session concluded after roughly 90 minutes spent together, actively exploring corners of Kudus.
For the Kudus Runners family, LASADA represents much more than just completing a five-kilometer run. It is time carved out from the stresses of daily routines, filled with laughter and mutual encouragement, along with an unspoken promise to reunite next Tuesday night.
Because, as the slogan that fuels their enthusiasm at the end of every gathering goes, “Kudus Runners: running together, finding happiness!” (HNR/mainkekudus)
