Race weekend at Lagoi Bay
The race takes over Lagoi Bay for two days. The Mandiri Bintan Marathon is an annual event, running on November 21-22, 2026, and its title sponsor is Bank Mandiri, Indonesia’s large state-owned bank.
Lagoi is the gated resort zone that covers Bintan’s north coast. The roads are wide and well kept, there is little through-traffic, and hotel lawns run down to the beach. That makes the course feel closer to a private estate than a city street race. The field leans regional, with a large share of runners coming over from Singapore and neighbouring countries.
Crossing from Singapore
The crossing is the main logistics question. Ferries run from Singapore’s Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) in Lagoi, and the trip takes about an hour. Because this is an international crossing, you need a passport and go through immigration at both ends.
Things worth knowing before the boat:
- Time zone: Bintan runs on Western Indonesia Time (UTC+7), one hour behind Singapore. Runners on tight schedules lose count of this more than anything else.
- Entry: many nationalities qualify for Indonesia’s visa on arrival or e-VOA. Rules depend on your passport.
- Transfers: BBT to the Lagoi resorts is a short shuttle or car ride. Most hotels run their own pick-ups.
- Gear: race kit goes in hand luggage. It is the one bag you cannot afford to lose.
Running in the November heat
Bintan sits just north of the equator, and November is warm and humid. It also brings the start of the northeast monsoon, so short, heavy showers are common. Tropical road races usually start in the dark to beat the sun, and the exact start times appear on the organiser’s official site.
The coastal roads are mostly flat. Heat is the real difficulty. Singapore-based runners are already used to the humidity. Runners flying in from cooler climates usually do their shakeout runs at dawn on the days before. Electrolytes matter as much as plain water here.
Race weekend on the Lagoi side
Most runners treat the race as a short break and stay inside Lagoi rather than in Tanjung Pinang, the island’s main town on the far side. The resorts sit close together, so getting to the start is a short ride, not a long drive in the dark. A common pattern is to cross on Friday, collect race packs, race at the weekend and take the ferry home on Sunday afternoon.
How things work on the ground:
- Money: Indonesian rupiah is the currency. Resorts and larger outlets take cards, and small food stalls are mostly cash.
- Greetings: “terima kasih” (thank you) is warmly received by marshals and volunteers.
- Dress: beachwear stays at the resort. Covering up is the norm in villages and in Tanjung Pinang.
- After the finish: groups usually head to the beach or the hotel pool. Seafood dinners in Lagoi are the usual post-race meal.
Ferry seats on race weekend fill with runners in matching club shirts, so the return crossing doubles as an informal finish-line debrief.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Mandiri Bintan Marathon in 2026?
It takes place on November 21-22, 2026 at Lagoi Bay on Bintan Island, Indonesia.
How do I get to Lagoi Bay from Singapore?
Ferries run from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Bandar Bentan Telani (BBT) in Lagoi, a crossing of about an hour. From BBT it is a short shuttle or car ride to the resorts. You need a passport for immigration.
Where do runners usually stay?
Most stay at the resorts inside Lagoi, close to the race area, rather than in Tanjung Pinang on the other side of the island.
What is the weather like in November?
It is hot and humid, with the northeast monsoon bringing short, heavy showers. Tropical races usually start before dawn to avoid the worst of the heat.
Where are registration and race details published?
The organiser publishes registration, race categories and start times on the event's official site.
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