Omar Abdullah kicks off Kashmir Marathon, completes 21 km

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Kashmir Marathon, with over 2,000 athletes participating.
2. Abdullah completed the 21-km half marathon in 2 hours without any prior training.
3. The event aimed to showcase Kashmir as a peaceful and global event-friendly destination.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged off the Kashmir Marathon on Sunday, which saw participation from over 2,000 athletes representing 13 countries. This was the first international athletic event held in the valley, and its primary goal was to present Kashmir as a peaceful destination capable of hosting global events.

The 54-year-old Abdullah, despite having no formal training or running plan, completed the 21-kilometer half-marathon in 2 hours. Abdullah shared on social media that he finished the race without proper preparation and praised the support he received from family and spectators along the route.

The marathon included elite athletes, such as Asian gold medalists and top runners from Europe and Africa. A total of 35 local athletes and 59 international runners participated. Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty also attended the event and flagged off the race.

Organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, the marathon’s aim was to portray Kashmir as a peaceful and welcoming region for international events. Director of Tourism, Raja Yaqoob, expressed that these athletes would become cultural ambassadors for the region.

Both Indian and international participants were impressed by Kashmir’s beauty and hospitality. A Danish athlete admired Srinagar’s picturesque environment, while an Indian runner highlighted the lucrative prize money and the planned tour of Gulmarg as additional draws of the event.

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