Exclusive Interview with MILO Activ Indonesia Race 2025 Participants in Jakarta

Behind the Finish Line: Exclusive Interviews with MILO Activ Indonesia Race 2025 Participants

Nestlé Milo successfully held the MILO Activ Indonesia Race (MAIR) 2025 on Sunday (December 7, 2025) at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta. This event was the culmination of the Road to MAIR 2025 series, which had previously visited five major cities in Indonesia. With the participation of more than 25,000 runners, this event demonstrated the extraordinary public enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle.

Although he plays basketball and listens to music on a daily basis, Rafly is not a professional runner. For him, the MILO Activ Indonesia Race 2025 at Monas yesterday wasn't just a regular run, but rather a test of his physical endurance on the 5K course.

"The reason I joined this was because I wanted to test whether I could complete my first 5K," said Rafly when we met him after crossing the finish line at Lapangan Banteng.

Here's a snippet of our Q&A with Rafly regarding his preparations for conquering the Jakarta International 10K/5K route:

1. Q: What was your main reason for choosing this year's MILO event to run? And why did you ultimately choose the 5K Fun Run category over the 2.5K or 10K?

   A=I chose the MILO event because it's a big brand and well-known for running events. Plus, this was my first time participating in a running event, so I wanted my first run to be memorable. That's why I chose the 5K Fun Run category—not too strenuous, but still challenging for beginners.

2. Q=Before the day itself, were there any special preparations (regular training, watching your diet)? Also, what were your favorite gear (shoes, running watch, or other running accessories) when you ran yesterday?

   A=As for preparation, honestly, I only had time to practice once seven days before. I also prepared equipment like running pants, and coincidentally, I just bought new shoes a few weeks before, so they were perfect for this event.

3. Q=When you received your racepack, what was your first impression of its contents? Especially the green jersey. Do you think the material is comfortable for running?

   A=When I picked up my race pack, since it was my first time, I was excited to see the contents. It felt complete and quite extensive. My friend also said that the MILO race pack was more extensive than other running events.

4. Q: What was the atmosphere like at the Milo Activ Indonesia Race 2025 Jakarta International 5K in the morning? Was it really crowded?

   A=The atmosphere was really lively, exciting, and it did feel crowded. Many netizens said it wasn't very safe, and I certainly felt that way on the ground. But since this was my first event, I can't compare it to other running events.

5. Q: When you were running 5km yesterday, was there a particularly memorable moment? For example, when you passed a certain building, or when you were tired and then got cheered on by the spectators on the side of the road?

   A=The most impressive thing was the sheer number of supporters. There were traffic officers, cheerleaders, and even students from Jakarta State High School 1 cheering on the roadside. It was quite a boost when I was so tired.

6. Q=What was on your mind when you reached the finish? So, what did you get? Isn't it worth it just as tired?

   A=At the finish line, I was immediately given a refreshment of cold water and a banana. Although many complained that they only got that, there was actually a free cold Milo booth too, but the line was incredibly long because it was so crowded.

7. Q: Do you have any advice or tips for our readers who might be planning their first run next year? So they don't feel inferior or make poor preparations.

   A=If you're worried about feeling inferior, bring a friend to make you feel more comfortable. Exercise sparingly and don't forget to warm up so your legs don't get shocked. In short, for those who have never participated in a running event, you should definitely give it a try. It's really fun and can be a new and addictive experience.

Muhammad Rafly's story proves that a running event as big as the MILO Activ Indonesia Race 2025 isn't just for professional runners. With a background as a graphic designer accustomed to working in front of a screen, Rafly successfully demonstrated that the stamina built from his basketball hobby can be applied to an asphalt track.

Rafly's success in completing the 5K category is a reminder to us all that the biggest challenge is often not the distance, but the willingness to start taking steps and testing one's own limits.

Interested in following in Rafly's footsteps and trying your first 5K challenge?

Don't let the wrong equipment hold you back. Start your running preparation with a selection of shoes and athletic apparel. Ensure you stay comfortable and protected every mile you cover.