Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday took part in the 21 km half-marathon in Srinagar after flagging off the second edition of the Kashmir Marathon from Polo View, marking a vibrant celebration of fitness, resilience and the indomitable spirit of Jammu and Kashmir.
The race began at 6 AM from Polo View, with runners traversing the scenic Boulevard Road along the banks of the Dal Lake. The marathon was organised by the Department of Tourism, Kashmir, featuring multiple categories, including the Full Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), and shorter runs for amateurs and local participants.
This year’s edition saw over 1,100 runners from 27 States and Union Territories of India, along with 77 foreign participants from 11 countries, underscoring Kashmir’s emergence as a premier destination for sports and adventure tourism.
In a display of personal commitment to fitness and public engagement, Omar Abdullah also participated in the Half Marathon and successfully completed the 21-kilometre run in just over one hour and 50 minutes.
Later, sharing his experience on X, the Chief Minister posted, “Just completed the Kashmir Half Marathon. I didn’t set a personal best, but I did improve on my effort last year. Congratulations to all the runners who completed the full marathon & the half marathon. Well done.”
During the first edition of the Kashmir Marathon held on 20 October last year, the Chief Minister had also flagged off and completed the half-marathon event.
Speaking at the event, Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty said, “People are running for Kashmir and for India. It’s beautiful to witness the excitement among people of all ages. I am delighted to be here and will try to return every year to encourage greater participation.”
Later, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha felicitated the winners of the Kashmir Marathon-2025.
Addressing the participants, Marathon enthusiasts and officials, the Lieutenant Governor said that the soaring spirit of 1100 runners is a testament to the Marathon’s ability to unite them and strengthen the brotherhood through shared experiences.
“Within two years of its launch, Kashmir Marathon has become one of the most prestigious running tournaments in the country. It has infused a sense of pride and passion among people and inspired a new generation of runners. I am confident that in the near future, the Kashmir Marathon will boost further interest and participation, and it will be a major economic catalyst for our tourism sector,” he said.
“Let us use this international event to showcase our priceless cultural heritage, arts and crafts and our unique traditions. Let this great running spectacle become a powerful medium for highlighting and showcasing the change and our achievements. Let us use this event to project our handicraft, handloom and tourism sector on the global stage,” the Lieutenant Governor added.