A professor from the Physiology, Animal Development, and Biomedical Sciences Research Group at ITB's School of Life Sciences and Technology (SITH), Prof. Marselina returned to the ultramarathon for the second time. For her, the event was not only a physical challenge but also an opportunity to contribute to fundraising efforts for the ITB Endowment Fund, which supports the sustainability of student scholarships.

"First, this is a challenge for me to get involved. This program is not just about ourselves, but also about ITB. As professors, we can give something back to ITB and its students by helping them access scholarships," she said on Tuesday (October 13, 2026).

One of Two Female Professors Participating

In this year's event, Prof. Marselina was one of two female professors participating as runners in the GB Fit community, alongside Prof. Dr. Muchtadi Intan Detiena, S.Si., M.Si.

Prof. Marselina expressed her pride in being able to participate again. She hoped her involvement would encourage more female professors to take part in similar activities in the future.

Her participation demonstrates that female professors can also play an active role in sporting activities that demand physical endurance and discipline while contributing to social initiatives that support education.

Maintaining Training Discipline Amid Academic Responsibilities

To prepare for the ITB Ultra Marathon 2026, Prof. Marselina followed a regular physical training routine, combining coach-led sessions with independent practice.

She explained that ITB provided support through professional coaching to help participants improve their running techniques. She also trained independently at ITB's Sarana Olahraga Ganesha (Saraga) sports facility and around her neighborhood.

"We have to push ourselves to keep training because sessions with the coach are only held once a week," she said.

According to Prof. Marselina, one of the most important lessons from preparing for an ultramarathon is discipline. Running performance cannot improve overnight; it requires consistent practice, including the willingness to train independently.

She worked to gradually improve her performance, including her running pace, or the time needed to cover each kilometer, to ensure she could complete her assigned section of the relay course successfully.

"Participating in an ultramarathon requires discipline in training. We really have to push ourselves to practice. With consistent training, we can reach the finish line strong," she explained.

Last Year's Experience Motivates Her to Run Again

The ITB Ultra Marathon 2026 was not Prof. Marselina's first experience with the event. She previously participated in the same ultramarathon in 2025.

Beyond successfully completing the race, what left a lasting impression on her was the tremendous public support for the ITB Endowment Fund fundraising initiative.

She acknowledged that she did not personally know everyone who had contributed donations. Nevertheless, the donors' involvement became a source of motivation, showing that the professors' efforts through sporting activities had received a positive response.

For Prof. Marselina, public support gave greater meaning to every step she took. Her achievement was not merely about completing the race but also about having the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to students and the institution.

Through the GB Fit community, Prof. Marselina and fellow ITB professors supported fundraising efforts for the ITB Endowment Fund, which aims to ensure educational sustainability, particularly through student scholarships.

She emphasized that her participation in the ultramarathon was not solely about achieving personal goals. It also served a broader purpose: encouraging alumni, the academic community, and the public to collectively support educational needs.

"These funds are not intended for personal use, but for ITB and its students. I sincerely hope that everyone will get involved in supporting GB Fit and ITB in raising as much funding as possible to meet educational needs in Indonesia," she said.

Prof. Marselina also expressed her appreciation to everyone who had supported the previous event. She hoped that this spirit of generosity and care would continue to grow, inspiring even more people to contribute this year.

Members of the public, alumni, and the ITB academic community who wish to support Prof. Marselina and her fellow ITB professors can make donations through the official Inspirasi Berbagi ITB website at https://inspirasiberbagi.itb.ac.id/gbfitberlari.

Every contribution forms part of a collective effort to strengthen the ITB Endowment Fund and ensure the continued availability of scholarships for students.