Gorontalo leadership prepares for 2026 Half Marathon amid political rumors

The Gorontalo Provincial Government is preparing for the 2026 Gorontalo Half Marathon (GoHM), aiming to attract at least 7,500 runners. Governor Gusnar Ismail and Vice Governor Idah Syahidah Rusli Habibie led a preparatory meeting to discuss the event, which is intended to promote regional tourism. The target includes 4,500 participants in the 5K category, 1,800 in the 10K category, and 1,200 in the 21K category. Officials aim for 70 percent of participants to be local, 25 percent from Sulawesi, and 5 percent from outside the region.

Separately, the provincial leadership addressed rumors regarding political friction between Governor Gusnar Ismail and Vice Governor Idah Syahidah following signals of evaluation from the Golkar Party faction in the Provincial DPRD. The Governor’s spokesperson, David Radjak, stated that the pair remains solid and continues to coordinate effectively, citing their joint leadership of recent regional development meetings as evidence of a healthy working relationship despite political dynamics.