3,000 runners from various communities, alumni, and the general public crowded the center of Surabaya City in the Wondr Surabaya ITS Run 2025 event which was held on Sunday (2/11/2025). This collaborative activity between PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or BNI, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), ITS Alumni Association PW East Java, and the Surabaya City Government has successfully brought the spirit of sport tourism which has a direct impact on the local economy and the healthy lifestyle of the community.
This event was opened with a flag off ceremony at Surabaya City Hall by Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, ITS Chancellor Prof Bambang Pramujati, and BNI Institutional Director Eko Setyo Nugroho. Runners competed in three categories—10K, 5K, and 2K—across the city's iconic routes, starting from City Hall, Jalan Governor Suryo, Apsari Park, to the ITS Sukolilo Campus.
BNI Institutional Director Eko Setyo Nugroho explained that this activity is part of BNI's commitment to building a healthy lifestyle ecosystem that integrates with digital financial services. "We are here as partners in building a healthy lifestyle ecosystem based on digital financial services," said Eko.
He added that BNI's support for activities such as the wondr Surabaya ITS Run is in line with the company's efforts to expand access to digital financial inclusion in public spaces. Participants and visitors can enjoy the convenience of non-cash transactions using wondr by BNI, BNI TapCash, and BNI Debit Contactless during the event.
On the same occasion, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi expressed gratitude for organizing this program, which provided social and economic advantages to the community.
"This event is not just a running race, but an opportunity to strengthen togetherness and collaboration. Sport tourism like this enlivens city space and opens up opportunities for MSMEs to grow together," said Eri.
In line with that, the Daily Chair of IKA ITS PW East Java Yoke Candra Katon assessed this activity as a new collaboration model that blends academic enthusiasm, alumni camaraderie and a vision of a competitive city.
"This activity is not just a running event, but a place to build a useful network. There is ITS with intellectual strength, alumni with a wide network, city government with policy support, and BNI with financial innovation. Everyone is united for the good of society," he said.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of IKA ITS PW East Java and Deputy Chancellor II ITS Machsus emphasized the philosophy of running as a symbol of ITS's spirit to keep racing against time and provide benefits to the nation. "We will make the wondr Surabaya ITS Run Fest an annual collaborative agenda between ITS, IKA ITS PW East Java, and the Surabaya City Government," said Machsus.
This activity has a direct economic impact on locals as well. Malik Atmadja, Chief Executive of wondr Surabaya ITS Run 2025, stated that the event brought together dozens of MSMEs fostered by the Surabaya Cooperatives, SMEs, and Trade Department (Dinkopumdag), who opened tenants during the activity.
"Participants run, the community is empowered. Local economic turnover has increased significantly thanks to the involvement of MSMEs," said Malik.
The wondr Surabaya ITS Run 2025 event is clear proof that synergy between the academic world, local government, community and the banking sector can create broad added value for society.
Through this collaboration, BNI continues to strengthen its role in building an inclusive local economy, encouraging a culture of digital transactions, and instilling a spirit of healthy living among the dynamic Surabaya community.