Antara, Bandung – Two running communities in Bandung are in hot water after handing out free beer during last week's Pocari Sweat Run 2025. The city government has issued official sanctions against the groups, Freerunners and Pace and Place.

Bandung Deputy Mayor Erwin said Pace and Place has been fined Rp 5 million ($306) and ordered to issue a public apology. Freerunners received the same penalties – plus an extra task: cleaning up Bandung City Hall grounds for two weeks.

"They'll be making a formal apology in the media and will voluntarily carry out cleanup duties around City Hall," Erwin said on Thursday.

He added that the incident should serve as a lesson to avoid similar mishaps in the future. "We're urging event organizers to tighten their permit processes and carefully screen the communities they work with," he said.

Puspita Winawati, a representative of the official Pocari Sweat Run 2025 organizers, expressed disappointment over the incident, saying it happened without the committee's knowledge or approval.

"We're really disappointed and feel harmed by what happened. The act was never coordinated with or approved by the official organizers," she said.

According to Puspita, the incident goes against the core values of the event, which promotes healthy living.

"This event is all about supporting public health. What they did completely undermines our credibility and reputation," she added.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/free-beer-at-a-health-run-bandung-sanctions-two-running-communitie