KUDUS – The sun had barely risen when the Simpang 7 Square in Kudus began filling with residents on Sunday morning, Sept. 13, 2026. Uniform jerseys were visible across the area as families, colleagues, and friends gathered for the occasion.
The atmosphere grew increasingly lively ahead of the start of the Mlampah Sesarengan with the Regent and Deputy Regent of Kudus. Approximately 10,000 participants joined the fun walk to mark the 477th anniversary of Kudus. The route spanned roughly six kilometers, beginning and ending at the Simpang 7 Square.
The event served as a community hub, allowing residents to engage in physical activity while fostering a unique morning atmosphere in the heart of Kudus.
Participants began arriving at the square early, with the crowd thickening as the start time approached.
Attendees arrived in various groups, with children accompanied by their parents and coworkers walking in teams, while others simply enjoyed the morning air before the trek began.
This year's attendance reached roughly 10,000 people, an increase from the approximately 8,000 participants in the previous event.
Radar Kudus General Manager and event chair, Ugi Wahyu, noted that public enthusiasm was evident throughout the registration process. Interest remained high until the day before the event, with some residents still arriving on the morning of the walk to purchase tickets at booths near the square.
The high turnout placed pressure on logistics, particularly regarding jerseys. Five days before the event, the committee still faced a shortage of 5,000 jerseys, but the supply was secured just two days before the start.
Once the starting flag was lowered, the crowd left the Simpang 7 Square, forming a long procession along the designated route.
The Mlampah Sesarengan route covered Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Jalan HOS Cokroaminoto, Jalan Pramuka, and Jalan Pemuda before returning to the Simpang 7 town square.
The approximately six-kilometer distance was completed in a relaxed atmosphere. Participants not only walked with their respective groups but also enjoyed the journey alongside other residents along the route.
Children walked with their parents. When the pace slowed, families waited for one another, while groups of colleagues used the opportunity to chat.
Among the thousands of participants, Kudus Regent Sam’ani Intakoris and Deputy Regent Belinda Putri Sabrina Birton joined the public for the walk.
For Sam’ani, this togetherness is an essential part of the 477th anniversary celebration. He noted that the government requires support from all elements of society to carry out regional development.
"The government cannot function without the support of the people. This includes community leaders, religious figures, kiai, scholars, elders, and all stakeholders. Kudus belongs to us all," Sam’ani said.
The presence of local leaders among the participants allowed for closer interaction, enabling residents to meet directly and converse in an informal setting.
Belinda said one of the most prominent aspects of the event was the public's enthusiasm. Residents were able to walk alongside the Regent, regional officials, and their fellow citizens.
She added that the event also served as an opportunity for the government to hear directly about the conditions and aspirations of the community.
The six-kilometer fun walk served as a form of collective physical activity, with participants of all ages covering the same route.
The atmosphere conveyed a message of healthy living through simple action. Residents walked, moved, and spent their morning in open spaces with their families and peers.
This spirit aligns with the Towards a Healthy Kudus agenda, which is central to the event's goals. However, the habit of healthy living extends beyond a single fun walk.
Following the event, participants are encouraged to maintain their physical activity in their daily routines. The camaraderie fostered during the event can be further strengthened through collective activities with family, friends, and the surrounding community.
For many participants, the fun walk was about more than just the distance covered. Some enjoyed the time with family, others valued the chance to bond with colleagues, while many joined to experience the festive atmosphere of the Kudus anniversary celebrations.
Mokhammad Jadid, a participant who attended with 21 teachers from SMP 1 Kaliwungu, described the event as a welcome opportunity to engage in activities outside of their professional routine.
“The highlight was walking together, the sheer enthusiasm, and seeing so many families participating,” Jadid said.
He expressed hope that similar events would be organized in the future, though he noted that additional water stations along the route would be beneficial for participants.
Beyond the participants, the Mlampah Sesarengan event generated significant local economic activity. The gathering of thousands created a high demand for food, beverages, and various services.
Local vendors and small business owners leveraged the crowd to showcase their products. Participants frequently purchased refreshments after the walk before continuing their activities around the Simpang 7 town square.
Sam’ani emphasized that community involvement in such large-scale events aligns with the “Urup Nguripi Kudus” philosophy. He argued that purchasing and using local products stimulates the local economy.
“When local products are sold and used, the economy moves. Factories stay operational, workers maintain their jobs and income, and money circulates within the community,” Sam’ani explained.
The economic impact was also evident in parking operations. Ugi estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 motorcycles filled parking zones during the event. With a fee of approximately Rp3,000 per vehicle, this contributed to the broader economic movement triggered by the influx of participants.
Service providers also capitalized on the crowd, including Aries Widodo, owner of Street Barbershop and Cukor Bro Barbershop and Barber School.
Aries deployed 20 barbers to provide complimentary haircuts behind the East Gate of the Kudus Regent’s Office. The service was organized at the request of the Kudus Regency Government as part of the Mlampah Sesarengan festivities.
Approximately 500 people utilized the barber service. For Aries, the event served not only as a way to give back to the community but also as a reunion for his current students and alumni.
The twenty barbers present were students and alumni who had trained under Aries. After completing their training, many were guided to launch their own businesses.
“I also operate a training course. We provide skills and job opportunities for students. Once they graduate, we guide those interested in starting their own businesses so they can become independent,” said Aries.
Their participation in Mlampah Sesarengan provided a platform to showcase their craft while offering services to the community.
Aries hopes the barber profession will receive greater recognition. He noted that the trade is often overlooked, despite the fact that barbering skills can provide a viable livelihood and a path to entrepreneurship.
He hopes that support for barbers can be realized through initiatives that help them grow.
Aries noted a significant increase in business during the event, estimating that the number of people seeking haircuts was two to three times higher than normal.
The lively atmosphere fostered a connection between business owners and the public. For MSMEs, such events serve as more than just a place for transactions; they are an opportunity to introduce products and skills to a wider audience.
After participants completed the route, the crowd remained gathered at the Simpang 7 town square as the event continued with a prize drawing.
The coupons participants had held since the start became the center of attention as numbers were drawn from the stage.
Prizes offered included mountain bikes, motorcycles, and electric scooters, among others. Three Polytron electric motorcycles were among the items drawn, with the grand prize being an Umrah pilgrimage package.
As the numbers were called, participants began checking their coupons. Some cheered when their numbers were announced, while others waited in anticipation for the next draw.
The raffle provided an added experience for participants after completing the six-kilometer journey. For some, the prizes were a pleasant surprise following the fun walk, while for others, the camaraderie since the starting line remained the most memorable part of the day.
The event gradually drew to a close as participants began leaving the Simpang 7 Square area. Vendors packed up their stalls, and the streets, once filled with thousands of jerseys, slowly returned to their usual quiet state.
By midday, the Mlampah Sesarengan event had concluded, with approximately 10,000 people completing the walk, each with their own story to tell.
Some participants returned home with their families, while others headed back with colleagues. Many left with prizes from the raffle or simply enjoyed the experience of taking in the atmosphere of Kudus city over the course of the morning.
For the local government, the event served as an opportunity to engage directly with the public. For participants, the fun walk provided a chance to exercise together, while for local MSMEs, the crowd offered a valuable opportunity to showcase their products and services.
These three elements came together in a single event organized to commemorate the 477th anniversary of Kudus City.
Mlampah Sesarengan demonstrated that community engagement extends far beyond the starting and finish lines. Along the six-kilometer route, residents walked, families gathered, colleagues conversed, vendors served customers, and service providers went about their work.
As the crowd dispersed, Kudus returned to its regular routine. Yet, the collective experience of moving together has become a hallmark of the city's anniversary celebrations.
The walk concluded after six kilometers, leaving behind a legacy of healthy living, social cohesion, and economic opportunity that will persist long after the event. (OEB/mainkekudus)
