North Sumatra (Sumut) Governor Bobby Nasution stated that Indonesia has officially recorded a new history in the world of cross-country running, the Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series 2025.
"From the success of the 2024 Trail of the Kings Zero Edition, we are committed to repeating it. Even increasing that success on a global scale by organizing the Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by UTMB," said Bobby after signing the UTMB Word Series 2025 cooperation in Medan, Wednesday.
The Governor said that the Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by UTMB 2025 world series is the only licensed Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc event in Indonesia.
This international event was held on Samosir Island in the Lake Toba area with five race categories: 5K, 10K, 28K, 60K, and 100K on Samosir Island, North Sumatra on October 17-19, 2025.
Around 2,200 runners from 25 countries are targeted to take part and make the Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba UTMB one of the biggest tourism sports events in Indonesia.
"In fact, this event is the only one in Indonesia. What makes this event different from other countries is that the North Sumatra Provincial Government will introduce the natural beauty and culture of North Sumatra," explained Bobby.
The Governor also emphasized that the Trail of the Kings - Lake Toba by UTMB 2025 world series is an important momentum for regional promotion, especially the Lake Toba area.
UTMB is a prestigious cross-country running event that was first held in France in 2003 and is now known as one of the most prestigious cross-country running competitions in the world.
"As one of the 54 official UTMB series in the world. This event is expected to attract foreign tourists, encourage economic growth in North Sumatra, and promote Lake Toba as a symbol of the revival of sports tourism in Indonesia," said Bobby.
Asia World Triathlon Corporation Managing Director Jeffrey Edwards said that the rich landscape of Lake Toba makes this event very special.
"The landscape of Lake Toba provides a unique running experience, and the strong local atmosphere gives Trail of the Kings added value that other trail running events don't have," he said.
As a cross-sector commitment, three important memorandum of understanding (MoU) documents were signed between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and the Lake Toba Authority Implementing Agency.
