Baliwakenews.com – Kuta’s beachfront came alive with energy, community spirit and a shared purpose as Mamaka Hotels & Resorts staged the third edition of Mamaka Fun Run, Sunday (18 October). The event bring runners together for the 5K and 10K races while supporting greater access to mental health education across Bali and Indonesia.
Beyond the finish line, this year’s event carried a powerful message: a healthier community starts with caring for both the body and the mind. In partnership with Shuffle & Strides, a non-profit organization focused on mental health awareness, Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3 aims to help expand Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT), a free two-day programme that equips people with practical knowledge to recognize mental health challenges and support those who may be struggling.
The event also celebrated the achievements of its top finishers across the men’s and women’s categories, adding a competitive edge to a morning dedicated to fitness, connection and positive change.
Meet the Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3 Winners
5K Category
Men’s Winners
- Agus Kirun – Bib No. 5098
- Onesmus Mathangu Maithya – Bib No. 5442
- Jack Onesmus – Bib No. 5359
Women’s Winners
- Lucy Jill Williamson – Bib No. 5477
- Meiki – Bib No. 5336
- Stephanie Angkiriwang – Bib No. 5352
10K Category
Men’s Winners
- Amaram Naftali Opat – Bib No. 10142
- Yopi Bana – Bib No. 10080
- Thimo Kilberth – Bib No. 10013
Women’s Winners
- Septiana Dita – Bib No. 10167
- Heather Mott – Bib No. 10157
- Putri Anggraini – Bib No. 10063
From a Fun Run to a Community Movement
Mamaka Fun Run began in 2024 as a 5K charity run supporting education initiatives through the Bali Children Foundation (BCF). The event returned in 2025 with an expanded 10K category, attracting more than 700 runners and transforming Kuta into a vibrant gathering of running communities, families and fitness enthusiasts.
For its third edition, Mamaka has shifted its charitable focus towards mental health education, continuing its commitment to creating meaningful community impact through accessible learning and shared experiences.
“For us, choosing mental health for Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3 was a very natural decision,” said Joel Bartlett, General Manager of Mamaka Hotels & Resorts.
“Mamaka is about movement, connection and wellbeing, and we believe wellbeing should include both the body and the mind. We also know that mental health can be difficult to talk about, so we wanted to support something practical, education that gives people the confidence to recognize when someone may be struggling and know how to respond.”
“The Fun Run gives us a powerful platform to bring our community together while helping that knowledge reach further.”
What Is MHAT? The Mental Health Training Making a Difference
Through its partnership with Shuffle & Strides, Mamaka Hotels & Resorts is supporting the expansion of Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT), a free two-day programme designed to make mental health knowledge more accessible to the public.
Shuffle & Strides is a non-profit organization focused on increasing mental health awareness through community-based education, movement and open conversations. Its programmes aim to reduce stigma and make mental health knowledge more accessible to people from different backgrounds.
The MHAT programme provides practical education on how to:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges.
- Understand how to communicate with someone who may be struggling.
- Learn practical tools for providing appropriate support.
- Understand available mental health resources and treatment options.
- Know when and where to seek professional support.
The training is not intended to turn participants into mental health professionals. Instead, it gives ordinary people the knowledge, awareness and confidence to better understand mental health challenges and support those around them.
Offered free to members of the public through Shuffle & Strides, the two-day programme aims to help people recognize when someone may need support, respond appropriately and understand where professional assistance can be found.
Mamaka’s Support Goes Beyond the Run
Mamaka’s commitment to mental health education extends beyond the annual Fun Run. The resort already supports MHAT initiatives through event and production assistance as part of its ongoing relationship with Shuffle & Strides.
Through Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 3, funds raised will help enable additional MHAT training opportunities, allowing Shuffle & Strides to reach more participants and extend the programme’s impact across Bali and Indonesia.
Rather than funding just one training session, the initiative aims to create opportunities for more people to access mental health education and bring that knowledge back to their workplaces, families, friendship groups and wider communities.
One trained person can influence many others by encouraging open conversations, helping reduce stigma and connecting people with appropriate support.
For Mamaka, this ripple effect is an important part of what makes the initiative meaningful: one training session can lead to greater awareness, more informed conversations and more people knowing where to seek help.
Making Every Step Count
For Mamaka Hotels & Resorts, the impact of the event extends far beyond race results. By bringing people together through running, the initiative creates opportunities to build stronger connections, encourage healthier lifestyles and make mental health conversations more accessible.
The partnership with Shuffle & Strides also builds on the running community’s involvement in Mamaka Fun Run Vol. 2 in 2025, when more than 700 participants joined the event alongside local running groups, including Indorunners Bali, CCRC, HOTR and Gianyar Runners.
While previous editions supported education initiatives through the Bali Children Foundation, this year’s event continues the broader belief that education can create opportunities and strengthen communities, with a new focus on mental wellbeing.
“We have always believed that community is at the heart of the Mamaka Fun Run,” Bartlett said. “Last year, we saw more than 700 people come together in Kuta. That showed us what is possible when a community gets behind an idea. This year, we want to use that same energy to help mental-health education reach further.”
Mamaka Fun Run is designed to be more than a race. Combining a beachfront running experience with entertainment, wellness activities and community engagement, the event brings together runners, families, friends, tourists, local residents and running clubs for a shared purpose.
“We don’t want the impact of Mamaka Fun Run to stop when people cross the finish line,” Bartlett said.
“We want people to leave with something more, whether that’s a great memory, a new connection, a healthier habit or simply a better understanding of how to look out for someone who may not be okay.”
With its third edition, Mamaka Fun Run continues to show how a community event can create an impact beyond physical fitness. The message is simple: move together, connect with one another and help make mental health awareness part of everyday life.
About Mamaka Hotels & Resorts
Mamaka Hotels & Resorts is a lifestyle-driven urban resort located on Kuta Beach, Bali, bringing together accommodation, dining, entertainment, wellness and community experiences. Rooted in the energy of Kuta, Mamaka creates experiences that connect people through food, music, movement, wellness and culture.
Through initiatives such as Mamaka Fun Run, Mamaka continues to bring together its guests, team members, partners and the wider community around experiences designed to create positive impact beyond the hotel.
About Shuffle & Strides
Shuffle & Strides is a non-profit organization working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health through positive action, community connection and accessible education. Its programmes include community running, Mental Health Awareness Training and support initiatives designed to improve access to mental health knowledge and professional assistance. BWN-07
